sputter/roar to life

phrase

of a machine

: to begin working

The engine suddenly roared to life.

After several attempts to start it, the engine finally sputtered to life.

Examples of sputter/roar to life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 210 guest rooms are scattered throughout the lush grounds, connected by stone pathways that wind past citrus trees, lavender, and massive outdoor fireplaces that roar to life as the marine layer rolls in at dusk. — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 9 Mar. 2026

In spring, the waterfalls roar to life thanks to the snowmelt, and generally flow from May until early October. — Kelsey Fowler, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026

Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley, become more ferocious and pound potentially more than 900 miles of the region – from Louisiana to Minnesota – through the overnight hours. — Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025

Severe thunderstorms will roar to life by the late afternoon in the Mississippi Valley as the powerful storm’s potent cold front clashes with a surge of warm, moist air from the Gulf. — Mary Gilbert, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025