head of steam
The phrase "head of steam" originates from steam engines, where it denotes the pressure needed to generate power. It is now commonly used to describe building energy or momentum in various contexts.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)A buildup of energy or momentum, often leading to increased activity or progress.
Example
- The team has built up a head of steam and is ready to launch the new product.
- After a slow start, the project gained a head of steam and was completed on time.
C1Engineering
(technical)The pressure of steam in a boiler, necessary to generate power for machinery.
Example
- The locomotive needs a full head of steam before it can start moving.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "head of steam":
steam agesteam powersteamed upsteam upsteaming upon the boilfull speed aheadboil upblow off steamsteam tableby steamunder one's own steamsteam engine