17 VERB If you draw a particular conclusion, you decide that that conclusion is true. □ [V n + from ] He draws two conclusions from this. □ [V n] He says he cannot yet draw any conclusions about the murders.
18 VERB If you draw a comparison, parallel, or distinction, you compare or contrast two different ideas, systems, or other things. □ [V n] …literary critics drawing comparisons between George Sand and George Eliot. [Also V n with n]
19 VERB If you draw someone's attention to something, you make them aware of it or make them think about it. □ [V n] He was waving his arms to draw their attention. □ [V n + to ] He just wants to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed.
20 VERB If someone or something draws a particular reaction, people react to it in that way. □ [V n + from ] Such a policy would inevitably draw fierce resistance from farmers. □ [V n] The club's summer signings have drawn criticism.
21 VERB If something such as a film or an event draws a lot of people, it is so interesting or entertaining that a lot of people go to it. □ [V n] The game is currently drawing huge crowds.
22 VERB If someone or something draws you, it attracts you very strongly. □ [V n] He drew and enthralled her. □ [V n + to ] What drew him to the area was its proximity to central London.
23 VERB [usu passive] If someone will not be drawn or refuses to be drawn , they will not reply to questions in the way that you want them to, or will not reveal information or their opinion. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + on ] The ambassador would not be drawn on questions of a political nature. □ [be V -ed] 'Did he say why?'—'No, he refuses to be drawn.'
24 VERB In a game or competition, if one person or team draws with another one, or if two people or teams draw , they have the same number of points or goals at the end of the game. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V ] Holland and the Republic of Ireland drew one–one. □ [V + with/against ] We drew with Ireland in the first game. □ [V n] Egypt drew two of their matches in Italy. [Also pl-n V , V (non-recip)] ● N‑COUNT Draw is also a noun. □ We were happy to come away with a draw against Sweden. [in AM, usually use tie ]
25 → see also drawing
26 PHRASE When an event or period of time draws to a close or draws to an end , it finishes. □ Another celebration had drawn to its close.
27 PHRASE If an event or period of time is drawing closer or is drawing nearer , it is approaching. □ And all the time next spring's elections are drawing closer.
28 to draw a blank → see blank
29 to draw the line → see line
30 to draw lots → see lot
▸ draw in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that the nights, evenings, or days are drawing in , you mean that it is becoming dark at an earlier time in the evening, because autumn or winter is approaching. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] The days draw in and the mornings get darker.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you draw someone in or draw them into something you are involved with, you cause them to become involved with it. □ [V n P ] It won't be easy for you to draw him in. □ [V n P n] Don't let him draw you into his strategy. [Also V P n (not pron)]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you draw in your breath, you breathe in deeply. If you draw in air, you take it into your lungs as you breathe in. □ [V n P ] Rose drew her breath in sharply. □ [V P n] Roll the wine around in your mouth, drawing in air at the same time.
▸ draw into → see draw in 2
▸ draw off PHRASAL VERB If a quantity of liquid is drawn off from a larger quantity, it is taken from it, usually by means of a needle or pipe. □ [be V -ed P ] The fluid can be drawn off with a syringe. □ [V P n] Doctors drew off a pint of his blood. [Also V n P ]
▸ draw on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you draw on or draw upon something such as your skill or experience, you make use of it in order to do something. □ [V P n] He drew on his experience as a yachtsman to make a documentary programme.
2 PHRASAL VERB As a period of time draws on , it passes and the end of it gets closer. □ [V P ] As the afternoon drew on we were joined by more of the regulars.
▸ draw out PHRASAL VERB If you draw someone out , you make them feel less nervous and more willing to talk. □ [V n P ] Her mother tried every approach to draw her out.
▸ draw up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you draw up a document, list, or plan, you prepare it and write it out. □ [V P n] They agreed to draw up a formal agreement. □ [V n P ] He wants his ministers to concentrate on implementing policy, not on drawing it up.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you draw up a chair, you move it nearer to a person or place, for example so that you can watch something or join in with something. □ [V P n] He drew up a chair and sat down. [Also V n P ]
▸ draw upon → see draw on 1
draw|back /drɔː bæk/ (drawbacks ) N‑COUNT A drawback is an aspect of something or someone that makes them less acceptable than they would otherwise be. □ He felt the apartment's only drawback was that it was too small.
draw|bridge /drɔː br I dʒ/ (drawbridges ) N‑COUNT A drawbridge is a bridge that can be pulled up, for example to prevent people from getting into a castle or to allow ships to pass underneath it.