Definition

Verb: - To move closer in space or time; to approach.

Usage

This verb phrase is used to indicate that something or someone is getting closer to a specific location, point in time, or event. It often carries a sense of gradual movement or impending arrival.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The deadline for the project is drawing near, so we need to work faster.
  • As the car drew near, we could see it was a taxi.
  • I could hear footsteps drawing near from the dark hallway.

Advanced Usage

• "to draw near to something/someone": This construction emphasizes the target of the approach.
  • The ship slowly drew near to the harbor.
  • He drew near to the podium to give his speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Approach (verb): To come near or nearer to.
  • The storm is approaching from the west.*
• Nears (verb, 3rd person singular of 'near'): Comes close to.
  • The end of the year *nears.

Synonyms

• Approach: To come near or nearer to.
• Come close: To move towards proximity.
• Close in: To advance on, especially from all sides.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Draw close: Very similar in meaning to 'draw near', emphasizing proximity.
  • Please draw close so you can hear the story.*
• Draw in: To approach, often referring to a time of day or season.
  • As the evening *drew in, the temperature dropped.

Related Idioms

• Draw near to someone's heart: To become emotionally close or important to someone. (Note: This is a figurative use of the core phrase).
  • The cause of animal welfare has drawn near to her heart over the years.*

Verb

1. move towards
   • We were approaching our destination
   • They are drawing near
   • The enemy army came nearer and nearer