pick up steam

:  to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument

:  to remove bit by bit

:  to remove covering or adhering matter from

:  a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument

:  the act or privilege of choosing or selecting :  choice

:  the best or choicest one

:  a heavy wooden-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock

:  toothpick

:  picklock

:  to throw or thrust with effort :  hurl

:  to throw (a shuttle) across the loom

:  the act of pitching or throwing

:  something thrown

:  a throw of the shuttle

:  in or into a higher position or level

:  away from the center of the earth

:  from beneath the ground or water to the surface

:  risen above the horizon

:  standing

:  being out of bed

: used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of

:  up into or in the

:  in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of

:  one in a high or advantageous position

:  an upward slope

:  a period or state of prosperity or success

:  to rise from a lying or sitting position

:  to move upward :  ascend

: used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated

:  a vapor arising from a heated substance

:  the invisible vapor into which water is converted when heated to the boiling point

:  the mist formed by the condensation on cooling of water vapor

:  to give out as fumes :  exhale

:  to apply steam to

:  to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)