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drum up

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drum something up

to obtain something by attracting people's attention to one's need or cause. I shall try to drum up support for the party. You shall have to drum up new business by advertising. I need to do something to drum some business up.

See also: drum, up

drum up something

to create interest in something The best way to drum up excitement for a book is to get people to talk about it.

See also: drum, up

drum up

1. Bring about by persistent effort, as in I'm trying to drum up more customers, or We have to drum up support for this amendment. This expression alludes to making repeated drumbeats. [Mid-1800s]

2. Devise, invent, obtain, as in He hoped to drum up an alibi. [Mid-1800s]

See also: drum, up

drum up

v.

1. To bring something about by continuous, persistent effort: The advertising firm drummed up new business for us. The manager tried to drum interest up in the computer training classes.

2. To obtain or resourcefully put together something that one needs; come up with something: The witness drummed up an alibi during the trial. We drummed some volunteers up for the project.

See also: drum, up