1 A2 neutral
To fill something with air using a pump.
"You'll need to pump up your front tyre — it looks a bit flat."
separable
pump up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To inflate something using a pump, to increase in volume or intensity, or to energise and motivate someone.
In plain English
To fill something with air, make something louder, or make someone feel excited and ready.
What does "pump up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To increase the volume or intensity of music or sound.
"He pumped up the volume as his favourite song came on the radio."
“
Pump Up the Volume
— M|A|R|R|S, song title, 1987
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To motivate and energise someone, especially before a challenge or competition.
"The coach gave an inspiring speech to pump the team up before the final."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a pump to fill something with air — extended to filling people with energy or enthusiasm.
Actually means
To fill something with air, make something louder, or make someone feel excited and ready.
Usage tip
Very common in sports contexts for motivating athletes. Also used for inflating tyres or balls and for increasing the volume of music. 'Pumped up' (adjective) means feeling highly motivated or energised.
Words that pair with "pump up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tyre volume crowd music team adrenaline balloon
How to conjugate "pump up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pump up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pumps up
he/she/it
Past simple
pumped up
yesterday
Past participle
pumped up
have + pp
-ing form
pumping up
continuous
Hear "pump up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pump up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.