draw off
C1 formal separable transitive
In simple words
To take some liquid out of a container, or to pull someone's attention or resources away from one thing to another.
Literal meaning: To pull liquid or something else away from a main body.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
To remove liquid from a larger quantity or container.
"The winemaker drew off a small sample from the barrel to check the fermentation."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To divert attention, troops, or resources away from a main target or area.
"The flanking manoeuvre was intended to draw off the enemy's reserves from the main front."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used in technical, military, and literary contexts. When referring to liquid, it implies a deliberate, controlled extraction. The figurative use (drawing off attention or troops) is common in historical and strategic writing.
Commonly used with
liquid blood attention troops surplus resources
Forms
Base
draw off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
draws off
he/she/it
Past simple
drew off
yesterday
Past participle
drawn off
have + pp
-ing form
drawing off
continuous
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