lose steam

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose steam" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to gradually lose power, momentum, or energy. Example: The team started strong, but as the game went on, they began to lose steam, allowing their opponents to catch up and eventually win the match.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People with this condition lose steam when the days get shorter and the nights longer.

Harvard University

MOST two-term American presidents lose steam in their second four years.

The Economist

He does not want to become bored and does not want to lose steam.

The New York Times - Magazine

You keep waiting for Trecartin to slip and for the video to lose steam.

The New Yorker

Unlike so many restaurants, this one, opened in January, doesn't lose steam come Act III.

The Washington Post

However, 25% of us who made resolutions lose steam just seven days later – right about now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Increasingly, they also maintain that the comeback is beginning to lose steam.

The New York Times

But history shows that presidents can lose steam if they aren't careful.

The Washington Post

In 1995, just before the economy started to lose steam, the working-age population hit its high point, at 87m.

The Economist

Mr. Fillon said fewer protesters were turning out and that the street demonstrations had "begun to lose steam".

The New York Times

Opposition movements tend to lose steam, falling prey to internal squabbles and the resurgent forces of the old regime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose steam" when describing a process, project, or person that starts with vigor but gradually weakens or becomes less effective over time.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply adding more resources will fix the problem when something is "losing steam". First, diagnose whether the issue stems from declining interest, resource depletion, or external obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose steam" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. It describes a gradual decline in energy, momentum, or enthusiasm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose steam" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe a gradual decline in momentum, energy, or enthusiasm. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can be used in professional settings, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain contexts. It's important to note that simply adding resources isn't always the solution when something starts to "lose steam"; diagnosing the root cause is crucial for effective intervention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline in momentum

Focuses on the reduction of forward movement or progress.

flagging energy

Highlights the decrease in available power or vitality.

wane in enthusiasm

Emphasizes the diminishing of excitement or passion.

peter out

Implies a gradual fading away or exhaustion.

run out of gas

Suggests a complete depletion of resources or energy.

taper off

Indicates a gradual reduction in intensity or activity.

diminish in intensity

Highlights the lessening of strength or force.

grind to a halt

Suggests a slow and difficult stop.

lose impetus

Focuses on losing the driving force or motivation.

become stagnant

Implies a lack of progress or development.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose steam" to describe anything that starts with energy but gradually weakens. For example, "The political campaign began to "lose steam" after the initial enthusiasm waned."

What are some alternatives to saying "lose steam"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "decline in momentum", "flagging energy", or "wane in enthusiasm".

Is it better to say "lose steam" or "run out of gas"?

Both "lose steam" and "run out of gas" are valid idioms, but "lose steam" implies a gradual decline, while "run out of gas" suggests a complete depletion of energy or resources.

What causes something to "lose steam"?

A project or initiative might "lose steam" due to various factors, including lack of interest, insufficient resources, unexpected obstacles, or poor planning.