draw down

To reduce the amount of something, often by using it or taking it away.

• We are drawing down our savings.
• The army drew down troop numbers last year.
• Heavy use has drawn down the water reserves.

How to use it: draw something down (They drew their savings down during the winter.)

Similar words: reduce, deplete

Opposites: increase, replenish

Common phrases: draw down reserves, draw down savings, draw down something

To receive or use money that has already been made available to you.

• We can draw down the loan now.
• The charity drew down grant money for the project.
• How much funding have you drawn down so far?

How to use it: draw down something from something (The company drew down funds from its credit facility.)

Similar words: withdraw, access

Common phrases: draw down funding, draw down a loan

To take equipment or supplies out of existing stocks, sometimes to give them to someone else.

• Officials authorized drawing down military equipment.
• They drew down ammunition stocks to supply their allies.
• The agency will draw down supplies from its emergency depot.

How to use it: draw down something from something (The government drew down supplies from military stocks.)

Similar words: withdraw, release

Common phrases: draw down equipment, draw down military stocks

To pull something such as a curtain or gate down to a lower position.

• Please draw down the blinds.
• The guards drew down the heavy gate.
• He drew the curtain down over the window.

How to use it: draw something down (She drew the blinds down to block the sun.)

Similar words: lower, pull down

Opposites: raise

Common phrases: draw down the blinds, draw down a curtain