Prime the pump
verb
To stimulate or support the growth or success of something by supplying it with money.
The government decided to prime the pump by investing in infrastructure projects.
Often appears as...
- prime the pump in economy
- government primes the pump
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To take action in order to make something succeed or happen.
She primed the pump by arranging a meeting with the key stakeholders.
Often appears as...
- prime the pump for meeting
- prime the pump for success
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In mechanics, to put a liquid (usually water or fuel) into a pump to get it working when it is first used or after it has stopped working.
He primed the pump and the old engine started chugging away.
Often appears as...
- prime the water pump
- prime the fuel pump
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To stimulate or support the growth or success of something by supplying it with money.
The government decided to prime the pump by investing in infrastructure projects.
Often appears as...
- prime the pump in economy
- government primes the pump
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To take action in order to make something succeed or happen.
She primed the pump by arranging a meeting with the key stakeholders.
Often appears as...
- prime the pump for meeting
- prime the pump for success
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In mechanics, to put a liquid (usually water or fuel) into a pump to get it working when it is first used or after it has stopped working.
He primed the pump and the old engine started chugging away.
Often appears as...
- prime the water pump
- prime the fuel pump
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Focus
Used when discussing financial measures to boost economic activity.
To overcome the recession, the government must prime the pump.
Pro Tip 2/3Government Action
Often used to describe government investment to encourage economic growth.
During the crisis, central banks primed the pump with lower interest rates.
Pro Tip 3/3Initial Investment
Implies an initial infusion of cash to get financial returns later.
They decided to prime the pump with a hefty marketing budget.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Focus
Used when discussing financial measures to boost economic activity.
To overcome the recession, the government must prime the pump.
Pro Tip 2/3Government Action
Often used to describe government investment to encourage economic growth.
During the crisis, central banks primed the pump with lower interest rates.
Pro Tip 3/3Initial Investment
Implies an initial infusion of cash to get financial returns later.
They decided to prime the pump with a hefty marketing budget.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Focus
Used when discussing financial measures to boost economic activity.
To overcome the recession, the government must prime the pump.
Pro Tip 2/3Government Action
Often used to describe government investment to encourage economic growth.
During the crisis, central banks primed the pump with lower interest rates.
Pro Tip 3/3Initial Investment
Implies an initial infusion of cash to get financial returns later.
They decided to prime the pump with a hefty marketing budget.
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