gather steam

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather steam" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is growing or becoming more popular, successful, or powerful in some way. For example: "The trend of working from home has been gathering steam over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Rangers are looking to gather steam for a playoff push.

The New York Times - Sports

So deals will occur and will gather steam into the second quarter of next year.

The New York Times

But the idea may well gather steam following the second round of the French presidential election.

The Economist

And the momentum of the Mets' second-half swan dive continues to gather steam.

The New York Times - Sports

The worst of the Great Recession may be over, but the recovery struggles to gather steam.

Independent

As the investigations gather steam, it is unclear what will happen to the company.

The New York Times

DealBook » As the investigations gather steam, it is unclear what will happen to the company.

The New York Times

With such high-profile subjects, will the genre of the counter-documentary start to gather steam?

The Guardian - Film

"Finally, we expect consumption to follow suit, as employment growth continues to gather steam," he said.

The New York Times

Students joke that they will get involved once pro-democracy forces gather steam, he said.

The New York Times

But state officials are confident that the Deccan Odyssey will gather steam in the coming years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather steam" to describe a process or trend that is progressively increasing in speed, intensity, or popularity. It is effective for illustrating gradual yet noticeable development.

Common error

Avoid attributing the act of "gathering steam" to a single, immediate action. The phrase typically describes a process that unfolds over time, not a sudden event. For instance, instead of saying "The new marketing campaign gathered steam overnight", consider "The new marketing campaign gradually gathered steam as positive reviews spread".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather steam" functions primarily as a verb phrase, acting as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig's examples show it describing the progression and increasing momentum of various entities, from economic recoveries to sports teams.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "gather steam" is a common and correct way to describe something that is increasingly gaining momentum or popularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in news and media to illustrate the progressive development of various trends, projects, or situations. To provide greater nuance, you can use alternatives such as "gain momentum" or "pick up speed". Remember that "gather steam" describes a process over time, not a sudden event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain momentum

Focuses more on the increase in speed or force of a movement or project.

pick up speed

Emphasizes the acceleration aspect of progress or development.

build up momentum

Highlights the gradual accumulation of force or energy.

gain traction

Suggests that something is becoming more accepted or popular.

make headway

Indicates forward movement or progress, especially against obstacles.

advance rapidly

Highlights the quick and substantial movement forward.

accelerate progress

Directly refers to speeding up the rate of development.

flourish

Indicates a state of thriving and vigorous growth.

prosper

Suggests successful and thriving development, often in a business or financial context.

escalate

Emphasizes a rapid increase in intensity or severity.

FAQs

How can I use "gather steam" in a sentence?

You can use "gather steam" to describe something that is increasingly gaining momentum or becoming more popular. For example, "The project began slowly, but it's starting to "gather steam" now".

What does "gather steam" mean?

"Gather steam" is an idiom that means to increase in momentum or intensity. It's often used to describe projects, movements, or trends that are gaining popularity or effectiveness.

What can I say instead of "gather steam"?

You can use alternatives like "gain momentum", "pick up speed", or "build up momentum", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "gathering steam"?

Yes, it is correct. "Gather steam" is a commonly used idiom that means something is becoming more powerful or popular. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use.