get up steam

Prepare to work hard, summon up energy. For example, If we can just get up steam we can finish in no time. This expression alludes to producing enough steam to work an engine. [Early 1800s] Also see under full speed ahead.

Words nearby get up steam

get under someone's skin, get up, get up on the wrong side of bed, get up on the wrong side of the bed, get up one's nerve, get up steam, get used to, get well, get what's coming to one, get wind of, get wise to