# draw up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/draw-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to prepare and write a formal document, like a plan, a list, or a contract.

For teachers: to compose or draft a formal document in writing; often used in legal, business, or administrative contexts to describe the creation of structured text.

## Examples

- The lawyer will draw up the contract tomorrow.
- The committee spent three hours trying to draw up a list of potential candidates for the position.
- After several rounds of negotiations, the diplomats finally managed to draw up a peace treaty that satisfied both nations.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We drew the plan up." but "We drew up the plan." — while technically separable, 'draw up' is almost always used in the inseparable form when the object is a long or formal noun phrase.

## Usage notes

- usually takes a formal document (contract, plan, list, proposal) as its object.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'write' to show the formal and structured nature of the document being created; it implies a level of official preparation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.