steam

build/get/work up a head of steam

to get enough energy, support, or enthusiasm to do something effectively. In the last three months the campaign has built up a good head of steam.

See also: build, head, work

(at) full pelt/steam/tilt (informal)

as fast as possible. He was going full pelt down the motorway but he still didn't make it to the airport in time.

See also: full, tilt

full steam ahead

with all possible energy and enthusiasm. We're going full steam ahead to expand the business. Now we've solved a few problems it's full steam ahead.

See also: ahead, full

let off steam (British, American & Australian, American & Australian)

to do or say something that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy. Meetings give people the chance to let off steam if something has been bothering them for a long time. After a long journey, the kids need to run around a bit and let off steam. I've told her she can call me and talk any time she wants to blow off steam.

See also: let

pick up steam (American)

to start to be much more effective or successful. In the third month the campaign really started to pick up steam. There are signs that the economy is picking up steam.

See also: pick

run out of steam (British, informal, American & Australian, informal)

to suddenly lose the energy or interest to continue doing what you are doing. She'd been talking for two hours and was just starting to run out of steam. I worked really well for two months of the project then I suddenly ran out of gas.

See also: run

under your own steam

without help from anyone else. Don't bother sending a car for us - we can get there under our own steam.

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blow off steam

to do or say something that helps you get rid of strong feelings or energy. I've told her she can call me and talk any time she wants to blow off some steam. After a long car trip, the kids need to run around a bit and let off steam.

Etymology: based on the steam engine (= a machine that uses steam), which would explode if steam were not allowed to escape into the air

See also: blow

full steam ahead

with all possible energy and enthusiasm. The real estate market has heated up, and building is going full steam ahead.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form it's full steam ahead: It's full steam ahead for Internet service providers today.

Etymology: based on the literal use of full steam in ships, which makes them go at their top speed

See also: ahead, full

a head of steam

energy to quickly make progress. There's no question, though, that the drive to stop capital punishment has picked up a head of steam.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a head of steam (= the pressure that is needed in the engine of an old-fashioned steam train to make it start moving)

See also: head

pick up steam

to improve at a quicker rate. In the third month the campaign really started to pick up steam.

See also: pick

run out of steam

to lose the energy or interest to continue. She'd been talking for two hours and was just starting to run out of steam.

See also: run

steam up something

to become covered with a thin layer of small water drops. Going into the warm room steamed my glasses up. They were sitting in the back seat of the car and the windows were all steamed up.

(all) steamed up

angry or upset. She got all steamed up because he arrived over an hour late.

under your own steam

without help from anyone else. Don't bother organizing a ride for us — we can get there under our own steam.