draw a bath

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw a bath" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used when someone is describing the act of filling a bathtub with water. Example: "After a long day at work, I like to come home and draw a bath to relax my muscles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I usually make coffee for myself, draw a bath and have a big soak.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Would you like to draw a bath to a certain temperature before you get home?" he asks.

The New York Times

"You do feel like a prince," he said, recalling how workers offered to draw a bath for him.

The New York Times

I understand immediately why people speak to plants as I draw a bath of cool water for them.

The New Yorker

Only fuckup it seems was your dad's choice to go without a condom," and "grab a razor blade and draw a bath.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Then I'll draw a bath and put on a podcast of one of my favorite shows, the NYC public radio station, or Pema Chodron's teachings.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He probably never drew a bath for his master, but what dedication.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, he walks home, draws a bath, eats his supper and watches baseball on television before falling asleep.

The New York Times

Claire Spencer (Ms. Pfeiffer) is not drawing a bath, nor is her husband, Norman Mr. Fordd), a prominent university geneticist.

The New York Times

Ms. Tsukada, cool and elegant, mimed everyday acts — drawing a bath, making tea — and danced Siamese classical steps, calmly and deliberately.

The New York Times - Arts

Other days she resisted thirst — waking up, working out, flying to New York, taking a cab to her hotel, doing a few errands, drawing a bath, collecting ice from the machine, all without a sip of water.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or narratives, use "draw a bath" to clearly indicate the action of filling a bathtub with water, especially when the context involves preparing for a bath.

Common error

Ensure that your audience understands "draw" in this context means "to fill" and not "to create a picture of a bath". The phrase is idiomatic, so avoid confusing literal interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw a bath" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an idiomatic expression, describing the action of filling a bathtub with water. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

27%

Huffington Post

6%

Less common in

Forbes

4%

Vice

4%

Los Angeles Times

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "draw a bath" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase that refers to the act of filling a bathtub with water. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and shows examples in various contexts. It's often used in a neutral register, appearing frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, be mindful that "draw" is used idiomatically, meaning "to fill", and not in its literal sense. Alternative phrases include "run a bath" or "prepare a bath". The phrase is used to describe an action, which is related to relaxing or cleaning, after a long day or to pamper yourself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run a bath

A direct synonym, implying the same action of filling a bathtub with water.

prepare a bath

Focuses on the act of getting the bath ready, not necessarily the filling process itself.

fill the tub

Emphasizes the action of filling the bathtub, suitable when the focus is on the water level.

get a bath ready

Highlights the preparation aspect, suggesting arranging the bath for someone.

start the bath water

Specifies the initiation of the water filling process.

turn on the bath

A more casual way of saying to start filling the tub with water.

make a bath

Implies creating a bath experience, encompassing more than just filling the tub.

set up a bath

Focuses on arranging the bath, including adding bath products and accessories.

prepare the bathwater

Focuses on the preparation of the water, particularly temperature and additives.

get the water running for a bath

A longer, more descriptive way of saying to start filling the bathtub.

FAQs

How can I use "draw a bath" in a sentence?

You can say, "I like to "draw a bath" after a long day at work to relax" or "She asked the butler to "draw a bath" for her before dinner."

What's another way to say "draw a bath"?

Alternatives include "run a bath", which carries the same meaning, or "prepare a bath", which emphasizes the preparation aspect.

Is it correct to say "drawing a bath"?

Yes, "drawing a bath" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses, such as "She is "drawing a bath" now."

What's the difference between "draw a bath" and "take a bath"?

"Draw a bath" refers to the action of filling the bathtub with water, while "take a bath" refers to the act of bathing oneself.