losing steam

USAGE SUMMARY

"losing steam" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means to run out of energy or become less effective. This phrase can be used in a variety of situations, such as describing a person who is becoming tired or less motivated, a project that is losing momentum, or a debate that is running out of arguments. It can also be used to describe a physical object that is losing power or strength. Examples: - After running for an hour, I could feel myself losing steam and had to slow down. - The team's performance started off strong, but they began losing steam in the second half. - The meeting was productive at first, but it started losing steam when we ran out of new ideas. - The company's sales have been steadily losing steam over the past few months. - The boxer gave it his all in the first round, but he was losing steam by the third.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

China's economy was already losing steam.

The Guardian - Business

The housing market is overvalued and losing steam.

The Economist

It was not losing steam as it plowed forward.

The New York Times

Weekly demonstrations in the capital, Kiev, have been losing steam.

The Economist

The manufacturing sector especially appears to be losing steam.

The New York Times

The global economy, meanwhile, appears to be losing steam.

The New York Times

Even before the freezes, foreclosures were losing steam.

The New York Times

Like him, the cold war seemed to be losing steam.

The New York Times

A faith fueled by charisma and crisis was losing steam.

The New York Times - Arts

The show has been losing steam in recent times.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unfortunately, that relationship, too, now appears to be losing steam.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience, be mindful that while "losing steam" is widely understood, a more literal phrase like "slowing down" can ensure clarity.

Common error

While "losing steam" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in highly formal or scientific writing where a more precise and literal term would be more appropriate, such as "decreasing in efficiency" or "experiencing reduced momentum".

Linguistic Context

Losing steam functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, typically modifying a subject to indicate a decrease in energy, momentum, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and readily understood. It describes a process or entity undergoing a decline in power or enthusiasm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "losing steam" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe a decline in energy, momentum, or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for various communicative settings but less ideal for highly formal or scientific writing. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "waning momentum", "slowing down", or "fading away". Remember, while widely understood, a literal translation might enhance clarity for global audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing impetus

Replaces "steam" with a synonym, focusing on the driving force behind something.

slowing down

A more literal way of saying something is becoming less fast or active.

waning momentum

Focuses on the decrease in momentum rather than energy or enthusiasm.

running out of gas

A similar idiom that conveys the idea of depleting resources or energy.

tapering off

Implies a gradual decline, often in quantity or intensity.

fading away

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance or decline of something.

petering out

Suggests a gradual reduction to nothing, often used for events or activities.

becoming less effective

A more direct and less idiomatic way of expressing a decline in performance.

diminishing returns

Highlights the reduction in output or benefit from an effort.

grinding to a halt

Suggests a near or complete stop due to loss of power or effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "losing steam" to describe something that is becoming less effective or energetic over time. For example, "The project started strong, but it's "losing steam" now" or "After the initial excitement, the movement began "losing steam".

What can I say instead of "losing steam"?

You can use alternatives like "waning momentum", "fading away", or "slowing down" depending on the specific context you are trying to describe.

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

No, the correct spelling is ""losing steam"". "Loosing" means to set free or untie, while "losing" means to suffer a loss. The phrase uses "losing" to indicate a reduction in power or momentum.

What's the difference between "losing steam" and "running out of gas"?

While both phrases suggest a decrease in energy or effectiveness, ""losing steam"" implies a gradual decline, whereas "running out of gas" suggests a complete depletion of resources or energy.