drum up support for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drum up support for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when trying to generate interest, enthusiasm, or backing for a cause, project, or initiative. Example: "The organization is working hard to drum up support for the new community center project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The area's congressman, Representative Charles B. Rangel, has been a longtime supporter of Mrs. Clinton, and toured his district on Sunday to drum up support for her.

The New York Times

Mass culture helped drum up support for the imperial project.

The New Yorker

Sir Leon has been touring the world to drum up support for a new round.

The Economist

PSDB bigwigs have been ringing mayors across the country to drum up support for their candidate.

The Economist

Trump also tried to use the issue to drum up support for his proposed border wall.

The Washington Post

She will be in town from Tanzania to drum up support for her primate research.

The New York Times

'My work is to drum up support for the Bulls,' he says.

The Guardian - Sport

If governments had their way, war photography, like much war poetry, would drum up support for soldiers' sacrifices.

The New Yorker

But notably Mr. Zoellick and Ms. Lagarde visited major emerging market nations to drum up support for their candidacies.

The New York Times

And yet, international comparisons probably helped drum up support for the Affordable Care Act, which became law in 2010.

The New York Times

He was on a visit to America to drum up support for trade and other policy matters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drum up support for", consider the specific action being taken to generate that support. Be precise: instead of just saying someone is "drumming up support", explain how they are doing it (e.g., "by holding rallies" or "through social media campaigns").

Common error

While "drum up support for" is a vivid idiom, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "rally support" or "generate enthusiasm".

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "drum up support for" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe actions taken to actively generate or increase backing for a cause, project, or person. It suggests a deliberate effort to mobilize interest and approval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drum up support for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic phrase that describes the act of actively trying to generate or increase backing for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's a vivid expression, avoid overuse and consider using synonyms like "rally support" or "generate enthusiasm" for variety. When you use "drum up support for", remember to be specific about how the support is being generated to add clarity and impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rally support for

This phrase replaces "drum up" with "rally", suggesting a more active and organized effort to gather support.

generate enthusiasm for

This focuses on creating excitement and interest as a means of gaining support.

foster backing for

This phrase implies nurturing and cultivating support over time.

stimulate interest in

This focuses on sparking curiosity and attention to gain support.

solicit endorsements for

This suggests actively seeking formal approval or support from individuals or groups.

encourage advocacy for

This suggests promoting active support and defense of a cause.

cultivate assistance for

This highlights the careful development of aid and support.

garner approval for

This focuses on obtaining formal agreement or acceptance to build backing.

win favor for

This phrase emphasizes gaining approval or positive regard to build support.

build momentum for

This emphasizes creating a growing sense of support and progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "drum up support for" to describe efforts to gain backing for a cause, idea, or project. For example, "The politician toured the state to drum up support for the new education bill".

What are some alternatives to "drum up support for"?

Some alternatives include "rally support for", "generate enthusiasm for", or "foster backing for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "drumming up support for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "drumming up support for" is grammatically correct. The phrase "drum up support for" is correct and usable in written English, according to Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "drum up support for" and "gain support for"?

"Drum up support for" implies a more active and energetic effort to create support, while "gain support for" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily specify the method used. You drum up enthusiasm to "gain support for" your project.