gather steam

Meanings

verbgather steam (third-person singular simple present gathers steam, present participle gathering steam, simple past and past participle gathered steam)

present singular third person gathers steam · participle present gathering steam · participle past gathered steam · past gathered steam

informalintransitiveTo increase in strength, popularity, or energy.
He went on, “Like the term ‘Latinx,’ ‘queer’ was started by some humanities professor and slowly gathered steam. Then well-meaning radio producers and magazine editors thought, ‘Well, I guess that’s what they want to be called now!’ But I don’t remember any vote being taken.”
2022 October 23, Pamela Paul, “Let’s Say Gay”, in The New York Times
Synonyms: gain steam, pick up steam · Antonyms: lose steam