picking up steam

USAGE SUMMARY

"picking up steam" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an activity or process that is gaining momentum, gradually becoming more successful or intense. For example: "The election campaign is picking up steam, with more and more people engaging with the candidates' messages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It looks like Steam is picking up steam!

TechCrunch

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

The New York Times

The campaign is already picking up steam.

The New York Times

"I think I'm picking up steam and we're picking up steam," Martin said after the game.

The New York Times - Sports

The whole thing depends on the recovery picking up steam.

University of California, Berkeley

The climate movement is picking up steam – or rather wind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so, the tactic appears to be picking up steam.

The New York Times

How do you know if a presidential scandal is picking up steam?

The New York Times

But many Republicans still say that the Romney campaign is picking up steam.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the growth of SUVs is a worldwide trend that's picking up steam.

Forbes

Comics were picking up steam, and the creators wanted equal compensation".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "picking up steam," ensure the context clearly establishes what is gaining momentum. A clear subject enhances the phrase's impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While widely understood, "picking up steam" is an informal idiom. In highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise and professional language such as "gaining momentum" or "accelerating progress."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "picking up steam" is to serve as part of a verb phrase, typically following a linking verb like "is" or "was". It functions as a verbal idiom describing the action of increasing momentum or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "picking up steam" effectively describes an activity or process that is gaining momentum and progressing notably. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, though slightly informal. While widely used in News & Media, formal business, and academic contexts, it should be used sparingly in highly formal writing, opting instead for alternatives like "gaining momentum" or "accelerating progress". Its widespread presence across diverse sources underlines its relevance and communicative power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining momentum

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

gathering pace

Highlights the increasing rate at which something is happening or developing.

gaining traction

Emphasizes the increasing support or acceptance of an idea or initiative.

building momentum

Like gaining momentum, underlines the process of growth and acceleration.

making headway

Indicates progress, but can apply even if the speed isn't dramatically increasing.

moving forward

A more general phrase indicating progress is being made.

on the rise

Suggests an increase in popularity, influence, or success.

accelerating

Focuses solely on the increasing speed or rate of progress.

developing rapidly

Highlights the speed and scale of development.

taking off

Emphasizes a sudden and significant increase in success or popularity.

FAQs

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

You can use "picking up steam" to describe something that is gaining momentum or becoming more popular. For instance, "The new marketing campaign is "picking up steam", with more people engaging every day."

What's a more formal alternative to "picking up steam"?

While "picking up steam" is widely accepted, more formal alternatives include "gaining momentum" or "gathering pace". These phrases provide a similar meaning but are better suited for professional or academic contexts.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "picking up steam"?

The phrase "picking up steam" is generally correct and widely understood. However, it's best to avoid using it in extremely formal or technical writing where a more precise term might be preferable. Overuse can also diminish its impact.

What does it mean when something is described as "picking up steam"?

When something is described as "picking up steam", it means that it is "gaining traction", becoming more popular, or gathering momentum. It suggests that an activity or process is progressing more rapidly and effectively.