Unit 17: DRAW Phrasal Verbs

Unit Goal

Can-do: Understand and use everyday English to talk about DRAW phrasal verbs.

The verb draw often means "pull", "attract", "move", or "prepare". In phrasal verbs, the meaning changes depending on the particle (on, back, away, in, up, etc.).

Visual Idea: DRAW = Pull or Attract

Exercise Context
Several people standing in a town square are being attracted toward a street musician playing music, some people move closer while others step back, clear visual examples of being pulled, attracted, and gathered together, bright daytime scene, realistic educational illustration for English learners.

Many DRAW phrasal verbs have the idea of:

  • pulling something physically
  • attracting people or attention
  • moving closer or farther away
  • creating or preparing something

Vocabulary Guide

Phrasal Verb Simple Meaning Example
draw on use something such as knowledge, experience, or resources She drew on her teaching experience.
draw back (from sth) move away because of fear, surprise, or caution He drew back from the fire.
draw away from sth move farther from something The boat drew away from the shore.
draw sb together make people feel closer to each other The project drew the team together.
draw sth/sb to sth/sb attract someone or something The music drew people to the park.
draw into sth move into a place The train drew into the station.
draw out of sth move out of a place The car drew out of the garage.
draw sth off remove liquid from somewhere The worker drew off the water.
draw sb in attract someone's interest The story drew me in.
draw in become shorter (days), arrive, or come closer The evenings are drawing in.
draw sb into sth involve someone in a situation She was drawn into the argument.
draw sth out make something last longer than necessary They drew out the meeting.
draw sb out encourage someone to talk The teacher drew the shy student out.
draw sth up prepare a document or plan The lawyer drew up the contract.
draw up stop a vehicle or move into position A taxi drew up outside.

Meaning Groups

1. Moving Toward or Away

  • draw back
  • draw away from
  • draw into
  • draw out of
  • draw up

These phrasal verbs describe movement.

2. Attracting People or Attention

  • draw sb in
  • draw sb into sth
  • draw sth/sb to sth/sb
  • draw sb together

These phrasal verbs describe attraction, interest, or involvement.

3. Using or Creating

  • draw on
  • draw sth up
  • draw sth off
  • draw sth out

These phrasal verbs describe using resources, preparing something, removing something, or extending something.

Grammar Pattern Notes

Pattern A: draw on + noun

draw on + experience/knowledge/resources

Use this pattern when you use something that helps you.

Examples:

  • She drew on her experience.
  • We drew on local knowledge.

Pattern B: draw somebody into + noun

draw + person + into + situation

The person becomes involved.

Examples:

  • The discussion drew him into the debate.
  • I don't want to be drawn into politics.

Pattern C: draw something up

draw up + plan/document/agreement

This means prepare or create something official.

Examples:

  • They drew up a new plan.
  • The lawyer drew up the agreement.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: The exciting advertisement drew people to the store.

Step 1: Did people move away or become interested?

→ They became interested.

Step 2: Which phrasal verb fits?

→ draw people to

Meaning: attract people.

🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

"Draw people to" nghĩa là thu hút mọi người đến một nơi nào đó. Quảng cáo hấp dẫn khiến khách hàng muốn đến cửa hàng.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: The teacher drew the quiet student out.

Question: Did the teacher physically pull the student?

→ No.

Meaning: The teacher encouraged the student to speak and share ideas.

Phrasal Verb: draw somebody out.

🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

"Draw somebody out" thường dùng với người ít nói hoặc nhút nhát. Nghĩa là khuyến khích họ nói chuyện nhiều hơn.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: The company drew up a new contract.

Question: Did the company attract the contract?

→ No.

Meaning: The company prepared or created the contract.

Phrasal Verb: draw up.

🔑 Đáp án & Giải thích

"Draw up" rất thường gặp trong ngữ cảnh công việc và pháp lý. Nó có nghĩa là soạn thảo hoặc chuẩn bị tài liệu, kế hoạch hoặc hợp đồng.

Quick Summary

  • draw on = use experience or resources
  • draw back / draw away = move away
  • draw into / draw out of = move in or out
  • draw sb in = attract interest
  • draw sb into sth = involve someone
  • draw sb together = make people closer
  • draw sth out = make something longer
  • draw sb out = encourage someone to talk
  • draw sth up = prepare a plan or document
  • draw up = arrive or stop in position