pump up somebody's tires

== English == === Alternative forms === pump up someone's tires === Pronunciation === === Verb === pump someone's tires (third-person singular simple present pumps someone's tires, present participle pumping someone's tires, simple past and past participle pumped someone's tires) (chiefly Canada, idiomatic) To praise, encourage, or vigorously support someone. 2009 April 14, Canadian Press, "AHL leaders in regular season, Manitoba prepares for series with Toronto," The Hockey News (Canada) (retrieved 1 Feb 2017): "I'm sure (Toronto coach) Greg Gilbert is going to pump their tires with the fact they've beat us six times." ==== Usage notes ==== Used particularly in contexts involving sports, especially ice hockey.