pick up steam

USAGE SUMMARY

'pick up steam' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means to gain momentum or to become increasingly popular or successful. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts. Example: The debate over gun control has been picking up steam lately as the issue is receiving more attention in the media.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

From there, things pick up steam.

The New Yorker

The investigation into national security leaks may pick up steam.

The New York Times

But the trend did not pick up steam until the accountants forced disclosure of real numbers.

The New York Times

The institution seemed to pick up steam in 2009, when Johnnetta Betsch Cole arrived as director.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were going into the year expecting the economy to pick up steam," Mr. Dudley said.

The New York Times

With the U.S and European economies struggling to pick up steam, Chinese exports have suffered.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But as my freelancing career picks up steam, those days are becoming few and far between.

Science Magazine

It looks like Steam is picking up steam!

TechCrunch

"It's picking up steam," he said.

The New York Times

Recent protests have picked up steam.

The New York Times

After that, Ms. Ringgold picked up steam.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pick up steam" to describe situations where progress or interest is visibly increasing. For example, use it when a project is starting slowly but gaining speed, or when a political movement is attracting more supporters.

Common error

Don't use "pick up steam" in contexts related to actual steam or trains, as this may confuse your audience. The phrase is generally used figuratively to describe momentum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up steam" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating an increase in momentum, intensity, or popularity. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe the progression of events or the growth of trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick up steam" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase that means to gain momentum or become more popular. According to Ludwig, its usage is prevalent in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. It's important to use the phrase figuratively, avoiding literal interpretations related to steam. Alternatives include "gain momentum" and "gather pace". Given its wide acceptance and clear meaning, "pick up steam" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain momentum

Focuses on the increase in impetus or driving force.

gather pace

Emphasizes the acceleration or speeding up of progress.

accelerate

Highlights the increasing rate of speed or growth.

gain traction

Indicates that something is becoming more accepted or popular.

build up speed

Suggests a gradual increase in velocity or rate of activity.

become more popular

Highlights the increasing acceptance or favor of something among people.

intensify

Refers to an increase in strength, force, or degree.

flourish

Implies thriving or growing vigorously, often in a broader sense.

prosper

Indicates success and wealth, often in a business or economic context.

take off

Suggests a sudden and rapid increase in success or popularity.

FAQs

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

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

What are some alternatives to "pick up steam"?

You can use alternatives like "gain momentum", "gather pace", or "accelerate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "picked up steam" or "picking up steam"?

Both "picked up steam" and "picking up steam" are grammatically correct. "Picked up steam" refers to something that has already gained momentum, while "picking up steam" describes something currently gaining momentum.

What's the difference between "pick up steam" and "take off"?

"Pick up steam" implies a gradual increase in momentum, while "take off" suggests a more sudden and rapid surge in popularity or success.