gain traction

• momentumProduct of mass, velocity
• footholdStable position for advancement
• tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
• gripSecure manual hold
• progressMovement toward improvement

accelerate · wheels · friction · purchase · headway · steam · rolling · build · snowball · catch · spark · ignite · breakthrough · ground · leverage · climbing · sticky · viral

• momentumbuilding momentum, gaining traction, gaining steam, gather steam, pick up speed
• advanceadvance, move forward, press forward, push forward, proceed
• getting startedgetting started, start, begin, first steps, basics
• power idiomspull strings, hold sway, call the shots, throw weight around, power play