ENGLISH
REFERENCE

prime the pump

idiom
Meaning

To engage in deficit spending.


Origin

disputed origin

As an idiomatic term, from the 1930s. From the metaphor of filling (priming) a liquid pump in order to prepare it for operation.

Examples
SIMPLE

The government will prime the pump to help the economy grow.

CONTEXTUAL

To encourage consumer spending during the recession, the central bank decided to prime the pump with new financial incentives.

COMPLEX

By injecting significant capital into infrastructure projects, the administration hoped to prime the pump and stimulate long-term industrial recovery across the struggling region.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    prime of life

    The period of one's mature life when one is at a peak of health and performance.

  2. 02

    pump out

    to produce in large quantities

  3. 03

    pump someone's tires

    To praise, encourage, or vigorously support someone.

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