pump-handle

pump-handle

A politician pump-handles the crowd's hands during a campaign event.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A lever used to operate a pump: A "pump-handle" is the manual lever or bar attached to a pump that is moved up and down to draw fluid (such as water) from a well or container.

  2. Verb (informal):

    • To shake hands vigorously and repeatedly: In informal usage, "to pump-handle" someone means to grasp their hand and shake it up and down with great enthusiasm, often for an extended period, as if working a pump handle.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The old well had a rusty pump-handle that squeaked with every motion. (The lever used to operate the pump.)
    • He gripped the pump-handle firmly and began to draw water. (The manual lever of the pump.)

  • Verb:

    • The politician pump-handled every voter he met, smiling broadly. (He shook hands vigorously and repeatedly.)
    • Don't pump-handle me like that — my arm hurts! (Do not shake my hand so enthusiastically.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to pump-handle someone's arm": to shake someone's hand up and down in a pumping motion.

    • The excited fan pump-handled the celebrity's arm for nearly a minute. (The fan shook the celebrity's hand vigorously.)

  • "pump-handle greeting": a handshake performed with a rapid up-and-down motion.

    • His pump-handle greeting was so forceful that it felt like an exercise. (His handshake was very energetic.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Pump handle (noun, also written as two words): the same lever or bar.

    • The pump handle was made of iron. (The lever of the pump.)

  • Pump-handling (noun, informal): the act of shaking hands vigorously.

    • Pump-handling is common at political rallies. (Vigorous handshaking.)
Synonyms
  • Lever (noun): a rigid bar used to exert force.
    • A pump-handle is a type of lever. (A simple machine.)
  • Handshake (verb, informal): to shake hands, but not necessarily with vigor.
    • He pump-handled his guests at the door. (He shook hands enthusiastically.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Pump-handle through: to move through a crowd while shaking hands rapidly.
    • The candidate pump-handled through the audience, greeting everyone. (He moved and shook hands vigorously.)
Related Idioms
  • Work the pump handle: to operate a pump manually; metaphorically, to perform a repetitive, vigorous action.
    • He worked the pump handle until water flowed. (He moved the lever repeatedly.)
    • She worked the pump handle of conversation all evening. (She kept the dialogue active and energetic.)