building up steam

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building up steam" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a process of gaining momentum or increasing intensity, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The project is just starting, but I can feel it building up steam as more team members get involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Building up steam, Bachmann continued, "Democrats just don't believe in God and the Constitution the way that real Americans do.

Huffington Post

Tony Abbott has been a small hurricane, building up steam.

The Guardian

No proper trunk-to-mouth greeting for the don?" Then I could sense the locomotive engine building up steam and Greg finally blew his lid.

The New York Times

Moreover, it does not serve the Republican agenda to impeach, clear the air and continue with Al Gore building up steam toward the Presidential election as an incumbent.

The New York Times

Characters roll from scene to scene, urged on by self-interest and greed, bumping against one another and building up steam until they're smashing together in orgies of violence.

The New York Times - Books

Some high-profile commentators, including ElBaradei and author Alaa al-Aswany, have announced they will not be casting a ballot, echoing a grassroots boycott movement that has been steadily building up steam in recent days.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Norwich soon began building up a head of steam again after the interval, and Martin nearly restored parity on 56 minutes after Maddison's corner had been headed on.

The Guardian - Sport

He is already building up a head of steam after netting a couple of Champions League goals in midweek.

BBC

"The second Obama administration is building up some steam in terms of federal antitrust enforcement efforts," Ms. Mahoney said.

The New York Times

There's no need for Netflix to watch out, but WWE is building up some steam with its streaming service.

Forbes

It's far too early to tell whether or not Valve's approach to living room gaming will pan out, but one thing seems clear — Valve is building up the Steam Box to be a gamer's game console, and players like Sony and Nintendo would do well to stay on their toes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "building up steam" to describe a gradual increase in intensity, momentum, or energy in a process, project, or activity. It's effective when you want to convey a sense of preparation or rising excitement.

Common error

Avoid using "building up steam" in literal contexts where physical steam is being generated, unless you're intentionally creating a metaphorical connection. The phrase is best suited for abstract or figurative scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building up steam" functions as an idiomatic expression. It describes a process of gradual intensification or gaining momentum, often in a figurative sense, as shown in the Ludwig examples. The expression denotes progression and preparation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building up steam" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that means to gradually increase in intensity, momentum, or energy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "gaining momentum", "gathering pace", and "picking up speed" serve as viable alternatives, it's important to use the phrase in figurative contexts to avoid misinterpretation. Remember to focus on abstract or non-literal scenarios where something is incrementally intensifying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining momentum

This alternative is more direct and less figurative, focusing on the increase in speed or force.

gathering pace

This alternative conveys a sense of increasing speed and progress.

picking up speed

This alternative is a literal way of indicating an increase in speed.

intensifying

This alternative is focuses on the increase in strength or degree, omitting the figurative aspect of "steam".

developing rapidly

This focuses on the quick development rather than the building of pressure or energy.

gaining traction

This is typically used in the context of ideas or projects becoming more popular or accepted.

ramping up

This is more technical and focuses on increasing production or activity levels.

getting into full swing

This implies that something is reaching its peak activity or performance.

preparing for action

This focuses more on readiness and anticipation rather than increasing intensity.

building to a crescendo

This suggests that something is increasing in intensity towards a climax.

FAQs

How can I use "building up steam" in a sentence?

You can use "building up steam" to describe a process or activity that is gradually gaining momentum or intensity. For example, "The project is just starting, but it's building up steam as more team members get involved."

What does "building up steam" mean?

The phrase "building up steam" means to gradually increase in intensity, momentum, or energy. It often implies preparation for a significant action or event.

What can I say instead of "building up steam"?

You can use alternatives like "gaining momentum", "gathering pace", or "picking up speed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "building up steam" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "building up steam" in formal writing, especially in journalistic or descriptive contexts. However, avoid overusing idiomatic expressions in highly technical or academic writing where more precise language is preferred.