pump

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a machine that is used to force liquid, gas or air into or out of sth: She washed her face at the pump in front of the inn. * (BrE) a petrol pump * (AmE) a gas pump * a foot / hand pump (= that you work by using your foot or hand) * a bicycle pump seealsoSTOMACHPUMP 2 (BrE) = PLIMSOLL 3 (especially AmE) = COURTSHOE 4 (BrE) a light soft shoe that you wear for dancing or exercise: ballet pumps IDIOMS see PRIMEv. verb 1 to make water, air, gas, etc. flow in a particular direction by using a pump or sth that works like a pump: [VN] The engine is used for pumping water out of the mine. * The heart pumps blood around the body. * [VN-ADJ] The lake had been pumped dry. [also V] 2 [V+adv./prep.] (of a liquid) to flow in a particular direction as if it is being forced by a pump: Blood was pumping out of his wound. 3 [VN] to move sth quickly up and down or in and out: He kept pumping my hand up and down. * I pumped the handle like crazy. 4 [V] to move quickly up and down or in and out: She sprinted for the line, legs pumping. * My heart was pumping with excitement. 5 [VN] ~ sb (for sth) (informal) to try to get information from sb by asking them a lot of questions: See if you can pump him for more details. IDIOMS pump bullets, shots, etc. into sb to fire a lot of bullets into sb pump sb full of sth to fill sb with sth, especially drugs: They pumped her full of painkillers. pump iron (informal) to do exercises in which you lift heavy weights in order to strengthen your muscles pump sb's stomach to remove the contents of sb's stomach using a pump, because they have swallowed sth harmful PHRASALVERBS pump sth into sth