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gain momentum

[/ɡeɪn moʊˈmɛntəm/]
verb phrase
ganhar momentum; ganhar impulso
1. to gradually increase in strength, speed, or popularity; to build up force or intensity
The campaign began to gain momentum after the candidate's successful speech.
A campanha começou a ganhar momentum após o discurso bem-sucedido do candidato.
2. to become more powerful or influential over time
The movement is gaining momentum with each passing week.
O movimento está ganhando impulso a cada semana que passa.
NYC Slang
gettin' hot; pickin' up steam
Synonyms
gather speedbuild up speedaccelerategrow strongerincrease in intensitypick up pace
Antonyms
lose momentumslow downdeclineweakendiminish

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ganhar momentum; ganhar impulso
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ganhar força; pegar velocidade
Alternative formulations used in São Paulo
Portugal
ganhar força; ganhar impulso
European Portuguese prefers 'ganhar força' in some contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

pick up steam
build up speed
on a roll
snowball effect
gathering steam
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