gathering steam
Building up speed
Gathering steam describes something gaining momentum, energy, or support over time.
The image comes from steam engines, which needed to build pressure before reaching full power.
A movement gathers steam as it attracts followers; a project gathers steam as it progresses: The campaign was slow at first but is really gathering steam now.
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- forceStrength or compulsion
- expansionIncrease in scope
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- ambitionDesire for achievement
picking up speed · surge · escalation · vigor · snowballing · evolution · intensity · trajectory · moving forward · enthusiasm · building · advancement · progression · dynamism · determination · improvement · perseverance · industrial revolution
gathering steamlosing steam
Declining in energy or force
slowing down · grinding to a halt · stalling · petering out · winding down
gathering steamdying out
Becoming extinct gradually
fading · withering · collapsing · falling apart · disintegrating
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