prime the pump


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prime the pump

  (mainly American)
to do something in order to make something succeed, especially to spend money European governments and banks are priming the pump world-wide looking for alternative energy.
See also: prime, pump

prime the pump

Encourage the growth or action of something, as in Marjorie tried to prime the pump by offering some new issues for discussion. In the late 1800s this expression originally was used for pouring liquid into a pump to expel the air and make it work. In the 1930s it was applied to government efforts to stimulate the economy and thereafter was applied to other undertakings.
See also: prime, pump

prime the pump

Informal
To encourage the growth or action of something.
See also: prime, pump
References in periodicals archive ?
That's a sum of money not to be sneezed at and one that we hope will prime the pump for many more cultural successes in years to come.
Culture legacy for the future
Developers and community activists gathered on the steps of the Farley Post Office to discuss plans for Moynihan Station East and West to prime the pump for a public hearing set to take place tomorrow (Thursday).
Moynihan public hearing is about to get underway
Of Elk and Men: The Spirit Within, will prime the pump until next September rolls around.
Elk CD captures the spirit
We have to raise more regional funds to prime the pump of transport investment and reduce the need to go cap in hand to Whitehall.
Letter: Talking while we grind to a halt
Use your advisers and consultants to prime the pump.
Drive: take control of your business' profitability
Rethinking its distribution strategy will also prime the pump.
GLOBAL GIVES NEW LIFE TO OLD NEWELL BRANDS
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