1draw 
/ˈdrɑ:/ verb
draws; drew /ˈdrɑ:/ verb /ˈdru:/; drawn /ˈdrɑ:n/; draw·ing 1 : to make (a picture, image, etc.) by making lines on a surface especially with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, etc., but not usually with paint [+ obj] ▪ He drew me a picture of the bike. = He drew a picture of the bike for me. ▪ The computer can draw the graph for you. ▪ Students drew maps of the states and labeled them. [no obj] ▪ You draw very well. ▪ She sat down and began to draw. — compare paint 2 [+ obj] : to cause (attention) to be given to someone or something
▪ The case has drawn attention to the fact that many athletes never graduate. ▪ I would like to draw your attention to the third line. ▪ He didn't want to draw attention to himself. [=he did not want to cause people to notice him] 3 [+ obj] a : to cause (someone or something) to come : to attract (someone or something)
▪ The band always draws a large crowd. ▪ She felt drawn [=attracted] to the young man. ▪ The college draws students from around the world. ▪ The animals were drawn to the campsite by the smell of food. ▪ We hope the display in the window will draw customers in from the street. ▪ The lure of city life has drawn away many of the town's young people. ▪ My eye was drawn to the painting. [=some characteristic of the painting made me want to look at it]
b : to cause (someone) to become involved or interested in something or someone — + in, into, or to ▪ What first drew you to teaching? ▪ A good writer knows how to draw readers in. [=how to make readers interested; how to make people want to read something] — often used as (be/get) drawn ▪ She was drawn in by his friendly manner. [=she wanted to know and talk to him because he was friendly] ▪ She got drawn into the conversation. 4 [+ obj] : to get or receive (something)
▪ a television show that has drawn consistently high ratings ▪ The player drew a foul. : to get (a particular response or reaction) ▪ His speech drew cheers from the crowd. ▪ The movie has drawn much criticism/praise from critics. ▪ He is a talented high school athlete who has drawn the interest of several major colleges. ▪ The principal's remarks have drawn fire [=attracted angry criticism] from both parents and teachers. 5 a always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to move in a specified direction
▪ She drew away from the spider. ▪ He opened the door and drew back in horror/shock/fear. ▪ The car drew (up) alongside us. ▪ The train drew [=pulled] into the station. ▪ She drew her eyebrows together in a frown of concentration. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He drew away [=(more commonly) withdrew] from his family.
b [+ obj] : to move (something) by pulling
▪ a carriage drawn by horses = a horse-drawn carriage ▪ Draw the curtains/blinds/shades. [=open or close the curtains/blinds/shades] ▪ a special fabric that draws moisture away from the skin ▪ She drew the blanket over her head. ▪ Draw up a chair and join us. [=bring a chair to where we are and sit down with us] ▪ She sat down in the chair and drew up her knees/legs. [=she bent her legs and moved her knees toward her chest] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The tragedy drew us closer together. [=made us emotionally closer] 6 [no obj] : to move gradually or steadily in time or space
▪ The lion drew closer to its prey. ▪ The sun is setting and the day is drawing to a close. [=ending] ▪ Spring is drawing near/nigh. [=approaching] ▪ The car drew to a halt/stop. [=the car slowed down and stopped] 7 [+ obj] a : to form (something, such as an idea or conclusion) after thinking carefully about information you have
▪ You can draw your own conclusions. — often + from ▪ a writer who draws ideas from newspaper stories ▪ We can draw lessons from past mistakes. [=we can learn from past mistakes]
b : to describe how two or more things are similar or different : to make (a comparison, distinction, etc.) between two or more things
▪ Many people have been drawing comparisons between the two movies. [=have been saying that the movies are similar] ▪ She drew important distinctions between the two methods. [=described important ways that the two methods are different] 8 a [+ obj] : to take (something) out of a container, pocket, etc.
▪ They were arguing, and then one of them drew [=pulled] a gun. ▪ One of the thieves drew a knife on her. [=one of the thieves took a knife out of a pocket, container, etc., and pointed it at her] ▪ She drew water from the well. — see also at daggers drawn at dagger
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to come out of a source
▪ He drew [=ran] water for a bath.
c [+ obj] : to get (something) from a source
▪ The car also draws power from a battery. ▪ She draws strength/inspiration from her loving family.
d : to take (a card) from a group of cards [+ obj] ▪ Draw four cards. [no obj] ▪ You haven't drawn yet. 9 a [+ obj] : to choose (a thing) from a group without knowing which one you are choosing
▪ She drew the winning number/ticket. ▪ We drew names from a hat to decide who would go on the trip. ▪ (Brit) The U.S. team have been drawn against [=chosen to play against] Greece in the first round. — see also draw lots at lot
b [no obj] : to decide something by choosing something from a group
▪ We'll draw to see who will drive. — see also draw straws (below) 10 [+ obj] : to make (something, such as a legal document) in a proper or legal form
▪ We hired a lawyer to draw a will. — often + up ▪ They drew up a contract/proposal/plan/list. 11 a [+ obj] : to take (something, such as air or smoke) into your lungs by breathing
▪ She drew a deep breath before responding. — often + in ▪ He drew the fresh air in. = He drew in the fresh air.
b [no obj] : to let air flow through
▪ Make sure the chimney is drawing properly. ▪ The pipe draws well. 12 [+ obj] a : to take (money) from a bank account : withdraw — usually + from or out ▪ He drew $100 from the bank. ▪ She drew out the money.
b : to receive (money) regularly from an employer, government, bank, etc.
▪ He draws a salary of about $100,000. ▪ He draws unemployment benefits. ▪ She has started to draw her pension.
c : to write (a check) and have money taken from a bank account
▪ You are now authorized to draw checks from the corporate account. 13 Brit : to finish a game, contest, etc., without having a winner : tie [+ obj] ▪ We drew [=(US) tied] the game 3–3. [no obj] ▪ The teams drew [=(US) tied] 3–3. [=each team scored three points] — often + against ▪ The teams have drawn against each other. 14 [+ obj] archery : to bend (a bow) by pulling back the string
▪ He drew his bow and aimed at the target. 15 [+ obj] Brit : to cause (someone) to say more about something especially by questioning — often used as (be) drawn — usually + on ▪ She refused to be drawn on whether the company is considering a merger. 16 [+ obj] technical, of a boat : to need (a particular depth of water) in order to float
▪ The ship draws 45 feet of water.
▪ The case has drawn attention to the fact that many athletes never graduate. ▪ I would like to draw your attention to the third line. ▪ He didn't want to draw attention to himself. [=he did not want to cause people to notice him]
▪ The band always draws a large crowd. ▪ She felt drawn [=attracted] to the young man. ▪ The college draws students from around the world. ▪ The animals were drawn to the campsite by the smell of food. ▪ We hope the display in the window will draw customers in from the street. ▪ The lure of city life has drawn away many of the town's young people. ▪ My eye was drawn to the painting. [=some characteristic of the painting made me want to look at it]
b : to cause (someone) to become involved or interested in something or someone — + in, into, or to ▪ What first drew you to teaching? ▪ A good writer knows how to draw readers in. [=how to make readers interested; how to make people want to read something] — often used as (be/get) drawn ▪ She was drawn in by his friendly manner. [=she wanted to know and talk to him because he was friendly] ▪ She got drawn into the conversation.
▪ a television show that has drawn consistently high ratings ▪ The player drew a foul. : to get (a particular response or reaction) ▪ His speech drew cheers from the crowd. ▪ The movie has drawn much criticism/praise from critics. ▪ He is a talented high school athlete who has drawn the interest of several major colleges. ▪ The principal's remarks have drawn fire [=attracted angry criticism] from both parents and teachers.
▪ She drew away from the spider. ▪ He opened the door and drew back in horror/shock/fear. ▪ The car drew (up) alongside us. ▪ The train drew [=pulled] into the station. ▪ She drew her eyebrows together in a frown of concentration. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He drew away [=(more commonly) withdrew] from his family.
b [+ obj] : to move (something) by pulling
▪ a carriage drawn by horses = a horse-drawn carriage ▪ Draw the curtains/blinds/shades. [=open or close the curtains/blinds/shades] ▪ a special fabric that draws moisture away from the skin ▪ She drew the blanket over her head. ▪ Draw up a chair and join us. [=bring a chair to where we are and sit down with us] ▪ She sat down in the chair and drew up her knees/legs. [=she bent her legs and moved her knees toward her chest] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The tragedy drew us closer together. [=made us emotionally closer]
▪ The lion drew closer to its prey. ▪ The sun is setting and the day is drawing to a close. [=ending] ▪ Spring is drawing near/nigh. [=approaching] ▪ The car drew to a halt/stop. [=the car slowed down and stopped]
▪ You can draw your own conclusions. — often + from ▪ a writer who draws ideas from newspaper stories ▪ We can draw lessons from past mistakes. [=we can learn from past mistakes]
b : to describe how two or more things are similar or different : to make (a comparison, distinction, etc.) between two or more things
▪ Many people have been drawing comparisons between the two movies. [=have been saying that the movies are similar] ▪ She drew important distinctions between the two methods. [=described important ways that the two methods are different]
▪ They were arguing, and then one of them drew [=pulled] a gun. ▪ One of the thieves drew a knife on her. [=one of the thieves took a knife out of a pocket, container, etc., and pointed it at her] ▪ She drew water from the well. — see also at daggers drawn at dagger
b [+ obj] : to cause (something) to come out of a source
▪ He drew [=ran] water for a bath.
c [+ obj] : to get (something) from a source
▪ The car also draws power from a battery. ▪ She draws strength/inspiration from her loving family.
d : to take (a card) from a group of cards [+ obj] ▪ Draw four cards. [no obj] ▪ You haven't drawn yet.
▪ She drew the winning number/ticket. ▪ We drew names from a hat to decide who would go on the trip. ▪ (Brit) The U.S. team have been drawn against [=chosen to play against] Greece in the first round. — see also draw lots at lot
b [no obj] : to decide something by choosing something from a group
▪ We'll draw to see who will drive. — see also draw straws (below)
▪ We hired a lawyer to draw a will. — often + up ▪ They drew up a contract/proposal/plan/list.
▪ She drew a deep breath before responding. — often + in ▪ He drew the fresh air in. = He drew in the fresh air.
b [no obj] : to let air flow through
▪ Make sure the chimney is drawing properly. ▪ The pipe draws well.
b : to receive (money) regularly from an employer, government, bank, etc.
▪ He draws a salary of about $100,000. ▪ He draws unemployment benefits. ▪ She has started to draw her pension.
c : to write (a check) and have money taken from a bank account
▪ You are now authorized to draw checks from the corporate account.
▪ He drew his bow and aimed at the target.
▪ The ship draws 45 feet of water.
draw a bead on — see bead
draw a blank — see 2blank
draw a/the line — see 1line
draw blood — see blood
draw in your horns — see 1horn
draw off [phrasal verb]
draw off (something) or draw (something) off : to take or remove (something) from a source or supply
▪ They illegally drew off thousands of dollars that had been donated to the charity.
▪ They illegally drew off thousands of dollars that had been donated to the charity.
draw on/upon [phrasal verb] 1 draw on literary : to come closer in time
▪ It became colder as night drew on. [=approached] 2 draw on/upon (something) a : to use (something) as a source or supply
▪ The family is drawing on/upon the community for support.
b : to use (information, experience, knowledge, etc.) to make something
▪ Her new book draws on her personal experience as a firefighter. ▪ The report draws upon several recent studies. 3 draw on (something) : to breathe in smoke from (a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.)
▪ He drew on his cigarette.
▪ It became colder as night drew on. [=approached]
▪ The family is drawing on/upon the community for support.
b : to use (information, experience, knowledge, etc.) to make something
▪ Her new book draws on her personal experience as a firefighter. ▪ The report draws upon several recent studies.
▪ He drew on his cigarette.
draw out [phrasal verb] 1 draw (something) out or draw out (something) : to cause something to leave a source or supply
▪ Trees draw water out of the soil. ▪ Salt will draw out moisture from the vegetables. 2 draw (something) out or draw out (something) : to cause (something) to last longer than the usual or expected amount of time
▪ Questions drew the meeting out for another hour. ▪ The movie's love scene was drawn out. — see also drawn-out, long-drawn-out 3 draw (someone) out or draw out (someone) : to cause (someone) to talk freely
▪ She tried to draw the frightened child out by asking him questions about his toys. ▪ The reporter had an ability to draw out people.
▪ Trees draw water out of the soil. ▪ Salt will draw out moisture from the vegetables.
▪ Questions drew the meeting out for another hour. ▪ The movie's love scene was drawn out. — see also drawn-out, long-drawn-out
▪ She tried to draw the frightened child out by asking him questions about his toys. ▪ The reporter had an ability to draw out people.
draw straws
◊If you draw straws, you choose a stick from a group of sticks that are different sizes but that are being held in such a way that they look like they are all the same size. Usually, whoever chooses the shortest stick or gets/draws the short straw will have to do a particular thing.
▪ Let's draw straws to see who will drive. ▪ He drew the short straw so he has to drive.
▪ Let's draw straws to see who will drive. ▪ He drew the short straw so he has to drive.
draw the blinds/curtain/shades on
: to end (something that has been continuing for a long time)
▪ Let's draw the curtain on this investigation. — see also 1draw 5b (above)
▪ Let's draw the curtain on this investigation. — see also 1draw 5b (above)
draw up [phrasal verb] 1 of a vehicle : to approach and stop at a place
▪ A car drew up [=pulled up] in front of the house. 2 draw (yourself) up : to stand as straight and tall as you can
▪ He drew himself up to (his) full height. — see also 1draw 10 (above)
▪ A car drew up [=pulled up] in front of the house.
▪ He drew himself up to (his) full height. — see also 1draw 10 (above)
