| 释义 |
steam /stiːm/ NOTE All these idioms refer in different ways to engines that are powered by steam, particularly the kind that were used on trains. 所有这些习语分别指不同的蒸汽发动机，尤其是火车发动机。 ► SEE ALLget up/pick up steamlet off steamrun out of steam(get/go somewhere) under your own steamfull steam/speed aheadbuild up/work up, etc. a head of steam
●ˌget up/ˌpick up ˈsteam1. gradually increase speed 逐渐加速◆As the train came out of the tunnel, it picked up steam.
列车驶出隧道后渐渐加速。2. (informal) gradually get bigger, more active or popular 声势逐渐强大；慢慢活跃起来；渐成气候◆The election campaign is getting up steam now; it is only two weeks to election day.
竞选活动现在渐成声势，离选举日只有两个星期了。◆I’m trying to get up enough steam to finish writing this book, but it’s not easy.
我尽力想鼓足干劲写完这部书，可是谈何容易。●ˌlet off ˈsteam (informal) release energy, strong feelings, nervous tension, etc. by intense physical activity or noisy behaviour 释放精力（或强烈的感情、紧张情绪等）；发泄◆He lets off steam by going to the gym after work.
他下班后去健身房锻炼，以舒缓压力。◆All children need to let off steam from time to time.
孩子都需要时不时宣泄一下过剩的精力。●run out of ˈsteam (informal) lose the energy, enthusiasm, etc. that you had before 泄气；精疲力竭；丧失热情◆His presidential campaign began well but ran out of steam after a couple of months.
他的总统竞选活动开始时还搞得有声有色，可是几个月后就偃旗息鼓了。●(get/go somewhere) under your own ˈsteam (BrE, informal) (get/go somewhere) without help from others 靠自己的力量（去某处）◆Don’t worry about arranging transport for us. We can get there under our own steam.
不用费心为我们安排车辆，我们自己能到那里。●full steam/speed aˈheadwith as much speed or energy as possible 全速；尽力◆We were working full steam ahead to finish the project by the end of April.为了赶在 4 月底以前完成这个项目，我们全力以赴。 ORIGIN This expression refers to the order given on a ship by the captain to the engine room. 这个表达法原指船长给机舱下达“全速前进”的指令。●build up/work up, etc. a head of ˈsteamdevelop the energy, enthusiasm or support required to do sth 大力推动；形成势头◆The movement for change has been building up a head of steam and the politicians are starting to listen.要求变革的运动已经形成了一定势头，政界人物正开始倾听他们的声音。 |