Meaning of head of steam | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A significant amount of energy, vigour or momentum, sufficient to make progress or succeed in a task.
   idiomatic
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see head, steam.

Examples

“"They were keeping a full head of steam, and a profound rumbling, as of an empty furniture van trotting over a bridge, made a sustained bass to all the other noises of the place⟳."”

“Soon after passing the site of Stretfordbridge Junction Edwards opened out to 25 per cent; boiler pressure was still full up, and Taylor was spreading what was left of the fire so as to arrive⟳ in Shrewsbury with only a light⟳ head of steam.”

“[literal sense⟳] Caffiers and Boulogne were passed with a full boiler and a full head of steam, and going up Neufchâtel I couldn't stop⟳ her blowing off.”

“Arsenal were starting to work⟳ up a head of steam and Tractor Boys boss Paul Jewell cut⟳ an increasingly frustrated figure⟳ on the touchline.”

“[literal sense⟳] The film is really about the driver taking control⟳ of his charge... the fireman creating a fine head of steam... the signalman keeping the traffic moving safely... [...].”

CEFR level