1 B1 neutral
To attract people to a place or event, or to gradually involve someone in a situation.
"The festival draws in thousands of visitors from across the country every summer."
separable
draw in
B1 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
To attract or involve someone in something, to take a breath in, or for days to get shorter in autumn.
In plain English
To pull someone into a situation, to breathe in, or (about days) to become shorter.
What does "draw in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
(British English) For days or evenings to become shorter as winter approaches.
"October is here, and you can really feel the evenings drawing in now."
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
To take air or breath into the lungs.
"She drew in a long breath before stepping onto the stage."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pull or move something inward.
Actually means
To pull someone into a situation, to breathe in, or (about days) to become shorter.
Usage tip
The sense of days 'drawing in' (getting shorter) is specifically British English and very common in autumn. The 'attract' sense is used broadly. The breathing sense is standard across all varieties of English.
Words that pair with "draw in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
crowd breath audience days tourists evening
How to conjugate "draw in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
draw in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
draws in
he/she/it
Past simple
drew in
yesterday
Past participle
drawn in
have + pp
-ing form
drawing in
continuous
Hear "draw in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "draw in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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