Phrasal verbs with 'DRAW'

DRAW BACK – to prefer to not take any actions, to retreat

Bellamy's furious look made everyone around him draw back in fear. It was better not to get too cocky and look for a fight with such a man.

DRAW DOWN – 1) to physically move something down; 2) to reduce or lower something (level, size, amount, intensity etc. ); 3) to deplete any resources by spending or consuming them

Bob drew the curtain down (1) and it became obvious that their conversation would turn to a more important topic.

“We have no choice but to draw the number of people down (2). We can’t provide all of them with food and other necessary stuff. You know we draw our resources down (3) too fast”

DRAW EVEN – to reach the same level or get the same score as a competitor

Virtus.pro drew even in the 4th round of the match with Team Liquid - 1: 1. They nailed it!

DRAW IN –1) to engage someone or something in some activity or situation; 2) to take air (or smoke) into the lungs; 3) to become darker earlier because winter is coming;

Jessi gave me a happy smile. I could see her enjoy being drawn in (1) small mischiefs like that. I drew in (2) a fresh autumn air. The days would draw in (3) soon and we wouldn't have the opportunity to spend this much time outside.   

DRAW INTO – 1) to arrive; 2) (=draw in) to take air (or smoke) into the lungs; 3) (= draw in) to engage someone or something in some activity or situation;

A car drew into (1) a station and a young lady got out of it. That was Susan. She drew air into (2) her lungs sharply, trying to restrain her anger. Nooo, Susan definitely wouldn't buy it and let them draw her into (3) this scandal.

DRAW ON – 1) to come to an end or to get closer (about a season or time); 2) to breath in cigarette smoke; 3) to put on a piece of cloth; 4) to use/ rely on skills, experience or recourses

As the night drew on (1), Frost drew on (2) a cigarette and looked around. There was almost no one on the street and that played into the man’s hands. Frost was an excellent thief and that’s why he was hired to steal something very valuable. The man drew on (3) his gloves and thought that it was time to draw on (4) all his skills and experience.

DRAW UPON – (=draw on) to use/ rely on skills, experience or recourses

“Are you really stupid enough to let her trick you so easily? She didn’t even draw upon all her lying skills to do that!”

DRAW OUT – 1) to make someone talk more freely by encouraging or comforting them; 2) to extract, take out; 3) to make something longer than it usually is; 4) to depart

“If I don’t succeed in drawing him out (1) by sweet-talking, I can always draw out (2) my gun! Aha! It’ll help me avoid drawing out (3) this conversation.”

“Cut it out! The train is about to draw out (4). We need to hurry up”

DRAW UP – 1) to prepare something such as a document in writing; 2) to arrive and stop (about transport); 3) to make oneself stand straight; (draw up a chair) to move closer to someone or something

“We gonna draw up (1) a list of candidates, so, draw your chair up (3) and make a suggestion”

Suddenly, I heard a car honking and saw a taxi that drew up (2) outside the building.

“Sorry, but I gotta go. The taxi is here. As for the candidates, I noticed a girl who drew herself up (3) and volunteered to perform the task. I think she is a good choice” 

Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with 'draw' here:

Test 1

Test 2