pump up

pump someone/something up

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

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pump someone up

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

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pump up something

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