draw up a proposal

Meaning

This expression means to prepare, draft, or write a formal document, plan, or agreement. It is commonly used in professional contexts when starting a new project, pitch, or contract, indicating the process of putting ideas into a structured format.

Examples

• Our marketing team needs to draw up a proposal by Friday to secure the new client.

  Our marketing team needs to draw up a proposal by Friday to secure the new client.

• Before we sign anything, let's draw up a proposal outlining the project milestones.

  Before we sign anything, let's draw up a proposal outlining the project milestones.

• She spent the entire weekend drawing up a proposal for the expansion plan.

  She spent the entire weekend drawing up a proposal for the expansion plan.

• We asked the consultants to draw up a proposal to help us optimize our supply chain.

  We asked the consultants to draw up a proposal to help us optimize our supply chain.

• Could you draw up a proposal for the budget reallocation before the board meeting?

  Could you draw up a proposal for the budget reallocation before the board meeting?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to make up a proposal for the client.

  ✓ We need to draw up a proposal for the client.

  While 'make' is a common verb, 'draw up' is the correct and professional collocation used in business for drafting formal proposals and contracts.

• ✗ He is drawing down a proposal.

  ✓ He is drawing up a proposal.

  The preposition 'up' is mandatory here. 'Draw down' means to deplete resources or withdraw funds, which is incorrect in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The sales team is going to ___ for the new software implementation.

  💡 Prepare a formal written offer.

  Show answer

  draw up a proposal

• It will take us a few days to ___ before we can present it to the board.

  💡 Draft a plan or agreement.

  Show answer

  draw up a proposal