drum (redirected from drumming)

*tight as a drum 

1. stretched tight. (*Also: as ~.) Julia stretched the upholstery fabric over the seat of the chair until it was as tight as a drum. The skin on his scalp is tight as a drum.

2. sealed tight. (*Also: as ~.) Now that I've caulked all the windows, the house should be tight as a drum. Your butterfly died because the jar is as tight as a drum.

3. and *tight as Midas's fist very stingy. (*Also: as ~.) He won't contribute a cent. He's as tight as a drum. Old Mr. Robinson is tight as Midas's fist. Won't spend money on anything.

See also: tight

beat the drum for someone or something and bang the drum for someone or something

Fig. to promote or support someone or something. (As if one were beating a drum to get attention.) I spent a lot of time beating the drum for our plans for the future. The senator is only banging the drum for his special interests.

See also: beat

drum someone out of something and drum someone out

Fig. to expel or send someone away from something, especially in a formal or public fashion. They drummed Bill out of the bridge club for having a bad attitude. The corps drums out a few cadets each year.

See also: out

drum something into someone and drum something into someone's head; drum something in

Fig. to teach someone something intensely. Her mother had drummed good manners into her. She drummed in good manners day after day.

drum something out

to beat a rhythm, loudly and clearly, as if teaching it to someone. Drum the rhythm out before you try to sing this song. Drum out the rhythm first.

See also: out

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: up

drum on something

to tap, thump, or beat on something in rhythm. Who is drumming on the table? Please stop drumming on the wall.

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bang/beat the drum

to speak eagerly about something that you support (often + for ) Once again she was banging the drum for pre-school nurseries. The opposition parties are always beating the environmental drum.

See also: bang

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beat the drum

to attract attention The president said he will beat the drum to build public support for his education program.

Usage notes: sometimes followed by for: Who is beating the drum for the parents' rights act?

See also: beat

drum somebody out of something

to force someone to leave a job or organization A lot of writers and directors were drummed out of the film business in the 1950s because they were suspected of being communists.

See also: out

drum something into somebody

to teach something to someone by frequent repetition Firefighters rely on training that's drummed into them through repeated exercises.

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: up