losing steam
Running out of momentum
Losing steam means gradually running out of energy, momentum, or enthusiasm.
The image comes from steam engines, which slow and stop as pressure drops.
A campaign loses steam when public interest fades.
A project loses steam when workers grow tired or discouraged.
The movement was losing steam by midsummer.
I started strong but lost steam around mile five.
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- flaggingLosing vigor progressively
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- running on fumesFunctioning despite exhaustion
- exhaustedUtterly depleted of energy
tired · worn out · slowing · slowing down · dwindling · wilting · deflating · out of gas · running out · petering out · fizzling · sputtering · giving out · dragging · momentum · hitting a wall · fatigue · burning out
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- declinedecline, in decline, decrease, downswing, on the decline
- Incomplete Actionsunfinished, partial, halfway, midway, interrupted
losing steampicking up steam
Increasing in momentum
gathering steam · gaining traction · building momentum · accelerating · ramping up
losing steamreinvigorated
Made strong again
fired up · recharged · revitalized · catching fire · coming alive
losing steammaking headway
Achieving forward progress
forging ahead · gaining ground · advancing · thriving · flourishing
lose, losing, loser, losers, lost, loss, losses, steam, steams