draw (oneself) up
1. To stand up straight, as tall as one can. I know you feel self-conscious about being so much taller than everyone else, but please, try to draw yourself up for the group photo. Honey, draw yourself up so the nurse can measure your height. I drew myself up and still couldn't reach that high shelf. Thank goodness for the stepstool.
2. To stand up straight in a show of indignation. After Andrew made those rude comments about me, I drew myself up and stormed out of the office. I knew he was annoyed with my decision when he drew himself up and began to scowl. Incredulous, I drew myself up and stalked over to the podium to defend myself.
draw up
1. To compose or prepare a document. A noun or pronoun can be used between "draw" and "up." Once both parties reach an agreement, Stu will draw up the contract. You draw it up and then give it to me for approval. Legal still hasn't drawn up that paperwork for us?
2. To stand up straighter, often to emphasize one's pride or indignation. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "draw" and "up." When I heard the other girls whispering about me, I drew myself up and marched right over to their table. I knew he was annoyed with my decision when he drew himself up and began to scowl. Incredulous, I drew myself up and stalked over to the podium to defend myself.
3. To move something closer to someone or something. Well then, draw up a seat and tell us what you think. Hey, if the cupcakes won't fit on the table with the rest of the desserts, draw up that tray table for them. With Grandfather's poor hearing, you'll have to draw the radio right up to his ear.
4. To stop moving. The car in front of me drew up suddenly, causing me to hit it. The golf ball drew up just shy of the hole. All the other drivers drew up as the police car, with its flashing lights and siren, sped by.
5. To cause something to stop moving. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "draw" and "up." Draw up the horses, Edward—I'd like to get out of the carriage. To avoid hitting the pedestrian, I had to draw up my bike so abruptly that I flew over the handlebars. Of course I would have drawn up the car at the red light if I could have, but I was sliding on ice!
6. To cause a group to assemble in an orderly fashion or particular formation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "draw" and "up." The announcement drew up the soldiers. Just yell at the unruly students—that'll draw them up! The sudden feedback through the sound system drew everyone in the auditorium up.
7. To become tighter. These pants must have shrunk in the wash because they keep drawing up on me! Now that I've entered this stage of pregnancy, my shoes and rings have really drawn up on me. Now that I've been working out regularly, many of my shirts have drawn up on me.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
draw (oneself) up (to something)
to stand up straight to one's full height. (Fixed order.) Walter drew himself up to his six-foot height and walked away. She drew herself up and walked away.
draw something up
1. . Lit. to pull something close by, such as a chair, stool, etc. Draw a chair up and sit down. She drew up a pillow and sat on the floor.
2. Fig. to draft a document; to prepare a document. Who will draw a contract up? I will draw up a contract for the work.
draw up
to pull up more tightly; to shrink up. When they got wet, his trunks drew up and became very tight. This cheap underwear has a tendency to draw up.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
draw up
1. Compose or write out in a set form, as in The lawyer drew up the contract. [First half of 1600s]
2. Arrange in order or formation, put in position, as in The band-leader drew up his players, or The officer drew up the troops. [c. 1600]
3. Bring or come to a halt, as in The car drew up to the curb. [Early 1800s]
4. draw oneself up. Assume an erect posture to express dignity or indignation. For example, She drew herself up and protested. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
draw up
v.1. To compose or write something in a set form: My lawyer will draw up a contract. The committee drew the list of nominees up.
2. To pull something close by: Draw up a chair and join us!
3. To bring oneself to an erect posture, often as an expression of dignity or indignation: She drew up to her full height. He drew up out of his chair in protest.
4. To come to a halt, as a vehicle: The truck drew up at the curb.
5. To bring something to a halt, as a vehicle: I drew the car up in front of the house. We drew up the van to the curb.
6. To bring troops into order: The prince drew up the soldiers and praised their courage.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.