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."
separable
draw off
C1 formal separable transitive
To remove liquid from a larger supply, or to divert attention or resources away from something.
In plain English
To take some liquid out of a container, or to pull someone's attention or resources away from one thing to another.
What does "draw off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pull liquid or something else away from a main body.
Actually means
To take some liquid out of a container, or to pull someone's attention or resources away from one thing to another.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "draw off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
liquid blood attention troops surplus resources
How to conjugate "draw off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "draw off" in the wild
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