drum up

USAGE SUMMARY

"drum up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that can be used to mean "stir up, promote or create enthusiasm or interest for something." For example, "The band was trying to drum up publicity for their new album."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She tried, desperately, to drum up business.

The New Yorker

As a way to drum up traffic.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We tell them to drum up business.

The New York Times

"It may actually drum up business".

The New York Times

"I was trying to drum up some kind of charm".

The New York Times

"We have to go out and drum up business".

The New York Times - Food

Mass culture helped drum up support for the imperial project.

The New Yorker

And this, he said, helps him drum up more business.

The New York Times

Hall has his own agenda: drum up new business.

The New York Times - Sports

And an opportunity to drum up a little extra business?

The New York Times

Still, the industry keeps trying to drum up more money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drum up" when you want to convey the active effort of generating interest or support, especially through promotion or campaigning.

Common error

Avoid using "drum up" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "generate" or "foster" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drum up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It signifies the action of actively generating or promoting interest, support, or activity for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "drum up" is a versatile and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the idea of actively generating or promoting something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and audience when using "drum up", opting for more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. As demonstrated by the many examples found in the database, it’s suitable for a wide range of topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate interest

Focuses on creating curiosity or enthusiasm, slightly less active than "drum up".

stir up support

Emphasizes galvanizing existing or potential backing, similar to rallying support.

foster enthusiasm

Highlights nurturing and developing positive feelings or excitement.

build momentum

Implies creating a growing force or impetus, often in a more gradual manner.

encourage participation

Centers on getting people involved or taking part in something.

promote activity

Highlights the act of pushing something into action and visibility.

cultivate interest

Suggests a more careful and gradual approach to developing interest.

spark enthusiasm

Indicates igniting sudden excitement or zeal.

whip up excitement

Suggests creating great enthusiasm using the power of publicity.

solicit interest

Implies actively seeking or requesting attention and engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "drum up" in a sentence?

You can use "drum up" to describe efforts to generate interest or support for something. For example, "The marketing team worked hard to drum up excitement for the new product launch."

What's a synonym for "drum up"?

Alternatives to "drum up" include "generate interest", "stir up support", or "foster enthusiasm". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "drum up" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely accepted, "drum up" can be perceived as slightly informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "generate", "solicit", or "cultivate" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "drum up" and "create"?

"Create" refers to bringing something new into existence. "Drum up", on the other hand, refers to actively promoting or generating interest in something that already exists. You "create a product", then "drum up support" for it.