Skip to main content
to draw

to draw

7 8.4
Need a certain water depth to float
  • verb
  • /drɔ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : calar
  • The ship drew alongside his boat, still pitching and rolling in its own personal storm.

Examples

  • The back of the moving boat draws three inches of water, but the rest floats above the surface.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • She's a flat-bottomed river boat... and probably draws about two feet of water.

  • The Queen don't draw much water, so we can go right over them.

  • Heading up the coast, I came upon a cable-drawn ferry crossing the inlet at LaHave.

    Blog text (26)
  • Her boat is designed to draw very little water, making it perfect for shallow rivers.

  • You need to be careful with that sailboat; it can only draw a maximum of three feet of water.

  • The yacht can draw up to five feet of water, so avoid shallow areas.

Idioms

to draw the line
  • Informal
82 4.1

Set a clear limit on what you will accept

To set a clear limit that must not be crossed

6 6.2

To be chosen by chance to do an unpleasant task

4 9.9

To kill someone by tying limbs to four horses and pulling them apart, or to punish very harshly

luck of the draw
  • Informal
3 4.8

A result that depends only on chance, like drawing names from a hat

To breathe for the last time before you die

Able to respond quickly under pressure

1 9.9

To threaten or kill someone by hanging, cutting their body open and dividing it into four parts

To follow a steady plan and not get distracted

To end up by chance with an unpleasant task or in a worse position

Phrasal Verbs

97 3.7

To prepare and write official papers such as contracts or wills

To make people notice something or someone

to draw blood
  • Offensive
38 4.6

To take blood for testing or to cause harm in an argument

18 2.6

To move closer in place or time

18 3.8

Remove something from where it is, for example a nail or a secret

12 3.8

Help a quiet person speak more in a group

Attract many people to watch or listen

9 4.0

Make a conversation or event last longer than usual

Set a clear limit on what is acceptable

8 3.6

Attract people or attention

Move nearer to someone or something

7 3.7

To pull something away from where it is, for example a bandage or curtain

Point out similarities between two or more things to show how they are alike

to draw a blank
  • Informal
7 4.5

Fail to remember something when you try to think of it

6 4.0

Pull air into the lungs or small things into a machine

Get creative ideas or motivation from something

5 3.6

To stop a vehicle at a place

Pull someone toward yourself to comfort or protect them

4 4.1

To move backwards away from something because of fear or surprise

4 6.7

To attract criticism and angry reactions for what you say or do

to draw up
  • Jargon
2 4.1

To arrange people into a line or formation

To close a curtain by pulling it across a window

1 4.6

Curl the body inward because of cold or fear

To make people feel united by a shared goal or feeling

1 3.9

Move something toward the centre

1 4.3

Move closer to surround something

1 4.9

To take liquid from a container by pouring or draining for testing

1 3.9

To straighten the body to stand taller

1 4.6

To move ahead of others in a race or competition

to draw back
  • Specialized
1 9.9

To pull tissue or skin to the side to hold a wound open during surgery

1 4.2

Make your score or position the same as another person

1 8.8

Aim a gun carefully at someone or something to be ready to shoot

To attract many people to watch a show or event

1 4.2

To pull something away carefully, for example a bandage or tablecloth

Pay close attention to a person, goal, or problem

Arrive at a station

to draw rein
  • Literature
8.4

To stop or slow progress by controlling it, like a rider pulling the straps that guide a horse

Compounds

draw play
  • Jargon
1 6.2

A football play where the quarterback fakes a pass then hands the ball to a running back

1 3.0

A place or event that attracts many visitors

1 4.2

A type of poker where players discard some cards and get new ones to improve their hand

Surface Forms

draw infinitive
drawing present participle
draws third person singular
drew past
drawn past participle

Etymology

Draw for how deep a boat sits in the water comes from 'to pull' and the related idea of 'drawing' water, so the amount a boat draws tells how much water it pulls around it to float.