make headway
Gain some ground
To make headway is to advance or make progress, especially against resistance or difficulty.
The image comes from sailing—a ship makes headway when it moves forward against wind or current.
We're finally making headway on the project.
Traffic was so heavy we couldn't make any headway.
- inroadsGradual successful advances
- gain groundMove forward, advance
- advanceMove or progress forward
- proceedMove forward, continue
- progressMovement toward improvement
breakthrough · move forward · gain traction · traction · move the needle · achieve · tenacity · perseverance · soldier on · surmount · push forward · overcome · press on · plow through · navigate · steer · clear the way · improvement
- advanceadvance, move forward, press forward, push forward, proceed
- motion idiomsin motion, on the move, on the go, move forward, move along
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat
- progress wordsadvance, progress, improve, grow, develop
- progressprogress, in progress, promotion, raise, ongoing
- improvementget better, improvement, do better, enhance, improve
make headwaystall out
Cease functioning abruptly
stagnate · stall · spin one's wheels · tread water · stand still
make headwaylose ground
Suffer setback in progress
fall behind · regress · backslide · slip back · slide back
make, head, made, ahead, maker, making, remake, makes, headway