draw out

To make something continue longer, often longer than people want.

• Please don’t draw out the meeting.
• He drew out his goodbye for several minutes.
• Why are they drawing this process out?

How to use it: draw something out (Her extra questions drew the meeting out.)

Similar words: prolong, extend, lengthen

Opposites: shorten

Common phrases: draw out something, draw out negotiations

To get someone to reveal information or feelings, usually by asking careful questions.

• Her questions drew out useful details.
• The interviewer drew out memories of his childhood.
• How can we draw more information out of this witness?

How to use it: draw something out of someone (Gentle questions drew the truth out of him.)

Similar words: elicit, bring out

Common phrases: draw out information, draw out details

To help a shy person feel comfortable enough to talk openly.

• Try to draw out the quiet guests.
• The teacher drew him out by asking about his hobbies.
• She is shy, but talking about animals draws her out.

How to use it: draw someone out (A few friendly questions helped draw her out.)

Similar words: encourage to talk

Common phrases: draw out someone, draw out guests

To pull something from inside something else.

• The nurse drew out some blood.
• He used tweezers to draw out the splinter.
• This pump draws water out of the well.

How to use it: draw something out of something (The pump draws water out of the tank.)

Similar words: extract, pull out, remove

Common phrases: draw out blood, draw out something

To make an animal leave the place where it is hiding.

• The food drew out the fox.
• They drew the rabbit out of its hole with a carrot.
• Will fresh meat draw the animal out?

How to use it: draw something out of somewhere (We used food to draw the cat out of its hiding place.)

Similar words: lure out, flush out

Common phrases: draw out animals, draw out something

In cards, to get extra cards that change your losing hand into a winning one.

• She drew out with the last card.
• He drew out on his opponent by making a full house.
• Can I still draw out and win this pot?

How to use it: draw out on someone (He drew out on me with a straight on the final card.)

Similar words: outdraw

Common phrases: draw out on someone, draw out again