Pump up
verb
To fill something with air or gas using a pump.
He had to pump up the deflated tire before he could use his bike.
Often appears as...
- pump up the tire
- pump up the balloon
phrasal verb
To motivate someone or increase their excitement or enthusiasm.
The coach pumped up the team with a rousing speech before the big game.
Often appears as...
- pump up the crowd
- pump up the team
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To increase the volume or intensity of something, like music or a workout.
Let's pump up the volume and get this party started!
Often appears as...
- pump up the volume
- pump up the music
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To increase the level or the intensity of a solution in a chemical or industrial process.
In the factory, they pump up the water treatment solution to sterilize the water.
Often appears as...
- pump up the solution
- pump up the additive
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To fill something with air or gas using a pump.
He had to pump up the deflated tire before he could use his bike.
Often appears as...
- pump up the tire
- pump up the balloon
phrasal verb
To motivate someone or increase their excitement or enthusiasm.
The coach pumped up the team with a rousing speech before the big game.
Often appears as...
- pump up the crowd
- pump up the team
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To increase the volume or intensity of something, like music or a workout.
Let's pump up the volume and get this party started!
Often appears as...
- pump up the volume
- pump up the music
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrasal verb
To increase the level or the intensity of a solution in a chemical or industrial process.
In the factory, they pump up the water treatment solution to sterilize the water.
Often appears as...
- pump up the solution
- pump up the additive
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Physical action
Refers to the actual use of a physical pump or action to inflate something.
She had to pump up her swimming armbands at the pool.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal meaning
Used in a literal context, there is no metaphorical intent, it's about inflating objects.
Could you help me pump up this mattress for the guests?
Pro Tip 3/3Pre-activity setup
Often done as preparation before one can use certain objects like tires or balls.
We need to pump up the basketball before the game starts.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical action
Refers to the actual use of a physical pump or action to inflate something.
She had to pump up her swimming armbands at the pool.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal meaning
Used in a literal context, there is no metaphorical intent, it's about inflating objects.
Could you help me pump up this mattress for the guests?
Pro Tip 3/3Pre-activity setup
Often done as preparation before one can use certain objects like tires or balls.
We need to pump up the basketball before the game starts.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical action
Refers to the actual use of a physical pump or action to inflate something.
She had to pump up her swimming armbands at the pool.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal meaning
Used in a literal context, there is no metaphorical intent, it's about inflating objects.
Could you help me pump up this mattress for the guests?
Pro Tip 3/3Pre-activity setup
Often done as preparation before one can use certain objects like tires or balls.
We need to pump up the basketball before the game starts.
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