pump
A machine that moves liquid or gas from one place to another.
A mechanical device used to move liquids, gases, or sometimes solids, from one place to another.
To move liquid or gas from one place to another using a pump or similar action.
To move liquid, gas, or another substance by using a pump or by a repeated pushing action.
To ask many questions to get information from someone.
To try to get information from someone by asking many questions.
A woman's shoe with no laces and a low front cut, often with a small heel.
A type of women's shoe that is low-cut, without laces, and often has a flat or medium-height heel.
To make someone feel very happy and ready to do something.
To make someone feel excited, enthusiastic, or full of energy.
- Base: pump
- Plural: pumps
- Base: pump
- 3rd Person Singular: pumps
- Present Participle: pumping
- Past: pumped
prime the pump
1Encourage growth by starting activity first
To start something by doing small actions that help it grow later, especially in business or economics.
- The government hopes tax cuts will prime the pump of economic growth.
- We offered free samples to prime the pump for future sales.
pump out
1Remove liquid or gas by pumping
To remove liquid or gas from something using a pump.
- Workers pumped out water from the flooded basement.
- They pumped out the oil from the tank.
pump someone for information
1Try to get information by questioning repeatedly
To ask someone many questions to find out information they may not want to share.
- The journalist tried to pump him for information about the scandal.
- She pumped me for details about my holiday.
pump up
1Increase energy or pressure
To make something more exciting, energetic, or full; or to add air or pressure to something.
- The DJ pumped up the crowd before midnight.
- I need to pump up my bike tires before riding.
pump iron
1Lift weights for exercise
To lift heavy weights as exercise to get stronger muscles.
- He spends two hours every day pumping iron at the gym.
- He spends an hour every morning pumping iron at the gym.
- She started pumping iron to build muscle.