pump someone's tires

• pump up someone's tires

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)

1. (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."

   • 2012 December 8, Mike Zeisberger, “Football: Canadian kid Suisham has been money for Steelers”, in Toronto Sun, Canada, retrieved 1 February 2017:

     Now, with Suisham enjoying a career season, those in his hometown are pumping his tires.

   • 2013 June 20, Cam Cole, “Seabrook guides captain through troubled waters”, in Vancouver Sun, Canada, retrieved 1 February 2017:

     Jonathan Toews . . . has allowed himself to come unglued emotionally during Game 4 of the Detroit series, and to fall back on the sweet sounds of teammates and coaches pumping his tires for his many wonderful qualities.

   • 2013 December 4, Steve Green, “Hockey: London Nationals win 4-2 over Lambton Shores Predators”, in London Free Press, Canada, retrieved 1 February 2017:

     His coach is pumping his tires for conference MVP and Matt Fuller is doing his best to oblige.

• Used particularly in contexts involving sports, especially ice hockey.