pump up

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

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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 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