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)

• cut the ground from under someone feet
• cut the ground from under someone's feet
• cut the umbilical cord
• cut things fine
• cut through
• cut through like a hot knife through butter
• cut through like a knife through butter
• cut through something
• cut through something like a hot knife through butter
• cut through something like a knife through butter
• cut to the chase
• cut to the quick
• cut two ways
• cut up rough
• cut your coat according to cloth
• cut your coat according to your cloth
• cut your losses
• cut your own throat
• cut your teeth
• cut your teeth in
• cut your teeth in something
• damned if do and damned if don't
• damned if do and damned if you don't
• damned if you do and damned if don't
• damned if you do and damned if you don't