get up steam

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get up steam

1. To gradually pick up or grow in strength, momentum, power, influence, etc. Though few believed that the independence campaign would have a chance of succeeding, lately it's been getting up steam. Our business really got up steam after that infusion of cash—otherwise, we wouldn't be able to produce at this level. The protests against the corrupt organization got up steam when the national media started covering the story.

2. To work or prepare to work hard; to draw upon reserves of energy, strength, resolve, etc., for a difficulty or challenge ahead. We're going to have to get up steam if we want to win this game! The team was sluggish in the first half, but they've finally started to get up steam. You need to get up steam to clear a hurdle that high.

get up steam

Prepare to work hard, summon up energy. For example, If we can just get up steam we can finish in no time. This expression alludes to producing enough steam to work an engine. [Early 1800s] Also see under full speed ahead.

get up (or pick up) steam

1 generate enough pressure to drive a steam engine. 2 (of a project, plan, or process in its early stages) gradually gain more impetus and driving force.

ˌget up/ˌpick up ˈsteam

1 gradually increase speed: As the train came out of the tunnel, it picked up steam.
2 (informal) gradually get bigger, more active or popular: The election campaign is getting up steam now; it is only two weeks to election day. ♢ I’m trying to get up enough steam to finish writing this book, but it’s not easy.