To drum up something is to try and increase interest in something, or support for something.
Examples of use:
1. Our marketing team is drumming up interest in our new product.
2. He’s trying to drum up more email subscribers to his new blog.
3. We drummed up lots of new customers with our special offers.
4. The burglar pretended to have a sick mother in order to drum up sympathy from the judge.
5. We need to drum up some new business or we will go bankrupt.
6. News headline: Cameron drums up support for royal wedding street parties.
7. News headline: China sends its Tibetan specialist to drum up trade opportunities.
infinitive |
drum up |
present simple |
drum up and drums up |
-ing form |
drumming up |
past simple |
drummed up |
past participle |
drummed up |
Image © Jim Winstead Jr