plump

plump down

1. To fall, drop, set, or sit down very heavily, suddenly, or abruptly. He came in from work and plumped down on the sofa without a word. The huge St. Bernard came over and plumped down onto her bed by the fireplace.

2. To drop or set someone or something down very heavily, suddenly, or abruptly. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "plump" and "down." The courier plumped the package down on my desk, nearly knocking over my coffee cup in the process. He plumped the screaming child down on the couch and put on some cartoons to calm her down.

See also: down, plump

plump for (someone or something)

1. To choose, select, or opt for something. Primarily heard in UK. I plumped for the steak, but I wish I had gone with the chicken. In the end, we just plumped for the cheesy action movie.

2. To actively support someone or something. Don't say a bad word about that candidate to Mary—she's been plumping for him all year.

See also: for, plump

plump up

1. To become very plump, chubby, or rotund. Soak the dehydrated mushrooms in a cup of water for an hour, until they have plumped up and the water is nearly gone. I began plumping up almost as soon as I became pregnant.

2. To make someone or something plump, chubby, rotund, or fuller in shape. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "plump" and "up." My kids always come home for the holidays looking so skinny, so I always try to plump them up a bit. It has come to light that one of the biggest poultry producers in the country has been plumping up chicken meat with water to artificially increase their weight and subsequent price.

See also: plump, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

plump for someone or something

to support or promote someone or something. Henry spent a lot of energy plumping for Bill, who was running for vice president. She spent a lot of time plumping for our candidate.

See also: for, plump

plump something down

 

1. to drop a heavy load of something. She plumped the load of groceries onto the bench and looked through her purse for the keys. Jill plumped down her packages.

2. to drop something as if it were a heavy load. He plumped the potatoes down on each plate, making a loud noise each time. Dave plumped down a huge slab of meat onto the grill.

See also: down, plump

plump something up

to pat or shake something like a pillow into a fuller shape. Todd plumped his pillow up and finished making the bed. He plumped up his pillow.

See also: plump, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

plump up

v.

1. To become more plump or chubby: I went off my diet and immediately plumped up.

2. To make something rounded or full in form: We plumped up the dried cherries by soaking them in water. The nurse brought me a pillow and plumped it up before putting it behind my head.

See also: plump, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.