get up a (full) head of steam
get up a (full) head of steam
To gain momentum or the energy needed to move forward. The protests against the corrupt organization got up a head of steam when the national media started covering the story. You can't make the jump standing still—you'll need to get up a full head of steam.
See also: get, head, of, steam, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
get up a (full) head of steam
1. Lit. [for a steam engine] to build steam pressure in order to start operating. It took nearly thirty minutes to get up a full head of steam so that the locomotive could start moving.
2. Fig. to develop sufficient energy, enthusiasm, commitment, or determination to undertake something. It's nearly noon before I can get up a full head of steam and accomplish something.
See also: get, head, of, steam, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- get up a head of steam
- build up a head of steam
- build up/work up, etc. a head of steam
- a head of steam
- full speed/steam ahead!
- steam into (some place)
- pour on coal
- steam in
- let off (some) steam
- let off steam