gain steam
Pick up speed
To gain steam is to build momentum or increase in force, like a steam engine accelerating as pressure builds.
A movement gains steam as more people join.
A project gains steam as progress accumulates.
The campaign gained steam after the endorsement.
The phrase implies gradual acceleration rather than sudden change.
- trendDirection of change
- catching fireBeginning to combust
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- gathering paceIncreasing in velocity
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
building momentum · surge · traction · advancement · groundswell · on the rise · virality · acceleration · buzz · adoption · escalation · proliferation · ignition · snowball · snowball effect · hype · going viral · progress
momentum and progress
gain steamlose steam
Gradually lose momentum
slow down · stall · grind to a halt · peter out · fizzle out
gain, gains, gained, gaining, gainer, gainers, gainful, gainfully, steam