turn someone's crank

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === turn someone's crank (third-person singular simple present turns someone's crank, present participle turning someone's crank, simple past and past participle turned someone's crank) (informal) To arouse a person's interest or passion; to excite someone. ==== Usage notes ==== Possibly based on earlier usages describing mechanical toys operated by spring mechanisms, such as: ==== Synonyms ==== float someone's boat