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3. get steam up

get steam up

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get (some) steam up

 

1. Lit. [for a steam engine] to build up steam pressure and become more powerful. As the engine got up steam, it began to move faster.

2. Fig. to begin to be stronger and more powerful. The movement to cut taxes is getting up some steam. Our little organization just couldn't get up enough steam to become effective.

See also: get, steam, up