get up (或 pick up) steam

generate enough pressure to drive a steam engine

开足蒸汽驱动发动机

(of a project in its early stages) gradually gain more impetus and driving force

（计划的早期）逐渐获得驱动力

his campaign steadily picked up steam.

他的竞选活动稳步地获得越来越多的动力。

have steam coming out of one's ears

(informal)be extremely angry or irritated

(非正式)大发雷霆，非常恼怒

in steam

(of a steam locomotive) ready for work, with steam in the boiler

（蒸汽机车）准备工作，准备发动，一切就绪

let (或 blow) off steam

(informal)(of a person) get rid of pent-up energy or strong emotion

(非正式)发泄被压抑的感情；泄怒

run out of (或 lose) steam

(informal)lose impetus or enthusiasm

(非正式)失去动力；失去热情

a rebellion that had run out of steam.

没了劲的反叛。

under one's own steam

(with reference to travel) without assistance from others

（旅行）靠自己的力量

we're going to have to get there under our own steam.

我们必须靠自己的力量到达那里。

under steam

(of a machine) being operated by steam

（机器）靠蒸气运行