hitting stride
Reaching optimal rhythm
Hitting stride describes reaching one's optimal pace or peak performance after a period of warming up or adjustment.
The image comes from running, where a stride is a full step—once you've hit your stride, your movements are fluid and efficient.
The phrase applies broadly: a business hits its stride after early struggles, a writer hits stride midway through a novel.
The campaign didn't hit its stride until October.
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- picking up steamIncreasing in momentum
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- paceSpeed of movement
flow · in the zone · cruising · peak · running · sprint · gallop · cadence · steady · rolling · on a roll · surging · clicking · firing on all cylinders · syncing · racing · gliding · smooth sailing
- progressprogress, in progress, promotion, raise, making progress
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- momentumbuilding momentum, gain traction, gaining traction, gaining steam, gather steam
hitting stridestruggling
Experiencing serious difficulty
faltering · floundering · stumbling · stalling · hitting a wall
hitting stridewarming up
Preparing body for exertion
getting started · ramping up · easing in · starting out · green
hitting stridelosing steam
Declining in energy or force
running out of gas · fading · winding down · petering out · burning out
hitting, stride, hits, hitter, hitters, strides, striding, strode, stridden