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Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs