draw in

To attract people and make them want to come closer or take part.

• The market draws in tourists.
• Her music drew in a much younger audience.
• What can we do to draw in more customers?

How to use it: draw someone in (The bright display drew shoppers in.)

Similar words: attract, pull in

Common phrases: draw in crowds, draw in customers

To make someone take part in an activity or situation.

• Try to draw in the quiet children.
• The dispute drew in several neighbouring countries.
• A friendly question drew her in.

How to use it: draw someone into something (The question drew her into the discussion.); draw someone in (We tried to draw him in by asking his opinion.)

Similar words: involve, bring in

Common phrases: draw in someone, draw in others

If evenings or days do this, darkness starts earlier as winter gets closer.

• The evenings are starting to draw in.
• By October, the days had drawn in noticeably.
• I miss summer when the nights draw in.

Similar words: shorten

Opposites: lengthen

Common phrases: draw in earlier, draw in rapidly

If night or darkness does this, it gradually arrives.

• Night began to draw in.
• We reached the village as darkness drew in.
• The hikers hurried home before the evening drew in.

Similar words: approach, close in

Common phrases: draw in slowly, draw in early

To pull something towards its centre or make it smaller, or to become smaller.

• The elastic draws in the waist.
• She drew in the sides of the bag.
• The muscles draw in as they tighten.

How to use it: draw something in (Pull the cord to draw the waist in.)

Similar words: contract, tighten

Opposites: expand

Common phrases: draw in something, draw in tightly