pump up

To fill something with air using a pump.

• Please pump up this ball.
• She pumped up both bicycle tyres.
• Have you pumped the mattress up yet?

How to use it: pump something up / pump up something (I pumped the tyre up before riding home.)

Similar words: inflate, blow up

Opposites: deflate

Common phrases: pump up a tyre, pump up a ball, pump up a mattress

To make people very excited and ready to act.

• The music pumped up the crowd.
• Our captain pumped us up before the final.
• What do you play to pump up your team?

How to use it: pump someone up (The coach pumped us up before the match.)

Similar words: excite, fire up

Opposites: calm down

Common phrases: pump up someone, pump up fans

To make music or other sound louder.

• Pump up the volume!
• The DJ pumped up the music as we started dancing.
• Can you pump up the bass a little?

How to use it: pump something up (Pump the music up so everyone can hear it.)

Similar words: turn up

Opposites: turn down

Common phrases: pump up music, pump up volume

To make muscles bigger by lifting weights.

• He lifts weights to pump up his arms.
• She pumped up her muscles before the photo shoot.
• These exercises will pump up your chest.

How to use it: pump something up (He pumps his muscles up by lifting weights.)

Similar words: build up, bulk up

Common phrases: pump up muscles, pump up arms

To make something seem stronger, bigger, or more important than it should.

• The ads pump up the benefits.
• They pumped up the drama to attract viewers.
• Why are you pumping up such a minor problem?

How to use it: pump something up (The report pumped the figures up to impress investors.)

Similar words: exaggerate, inflate, overstate

Opposites: play down

Common phrases: pump up claims, pump up something