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

: from beneath the ground or water to the surface

: from below the horizon

: 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 rise or pass off as vapor