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pump up

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pump someone up (for something)

Inf. to get someone, including oneself, mentally ready for something. The coach tried to pump the team up so they would win. The coach talked and talked to pump them up.

See also: pump, up

pump something up

 

1. to inflate something. Do you have something with which I can pump my basketball up? I pumped up the ball just an hour ago.

2. Sl. to exercise to make muscles get bigger and stronger. The body builder pumped her muscles up in preparation for the competition. She pumped up her muscles.

See also: pump, up

pump somebody up

also pump up somebody

to make someone very interested or enthusiastic Our coach talks with every team member before a game, offering advice and trying to pump them up. Taylor's band came out and pumped up the crowd.

See also: pump, up

pump up something

also pump something up

to make something appear to be bigger or more successful than it is Opponents charged that the state treasurer pumped up the state's financial figures. We pumped the number of flights up to 500 in our report so everyone would think the airport was really busy.

See also: pump, up

pump somebody/something up

also pump up somebody/something

to improve someone's or something's performance Athletes can take drugs to pump themselves up, but there are huge risks involved. Everett hopes the new products will pump up corporate sales.

See also: pump, up

pump up

1. Inflate with gas or air, as in This tire needs pumping up. [Late 1800s]

2. Fill with enthusiasm, strength, and energy, as in The lively debate pumped us all up. Mary Wollstonecraft used this idiom in slightly different form in The Rights of Women (1792): "Lover-like phrases of pumped-up passion."

See also: pump, up

pump up

v.

1. To inflate something with gas by using a pump: We pumped up a new basketball before the game. One of my tires was getting low, so I stopped at a gas station and pumped it up.

2. To force or suck something, as a liquid or gas, from beneath a surface by using a pump: This well pumps up oil from underground. We pump the water up from the lake to tanks on the hillside.

3. Slang To fill someone with enthusiasm, strength, and energy; psych someone up: The crowd's chants pumped up the players. The coach pumped us up for the big game with a rousing speech.

4. Slang To be actively involved in bodybuilding exercises: The football players are always pumping up at the gym.

5. Slang To strengthen something: Pump up the volume on that stereo—I can't hear it. The economy was declining, but investors hoped that a favorable exchange rate would pump it up.

See also: pump, up

pump up

verb

See pump someone up

See also: pump, up