make headway

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make headway

The team began to make headway in the second half.

Definition

Verb: - To make progress or advance, especially against difficulty or toward a goal. It implies moving forward or gaining ground in a tangible or figurative sense.

Usage

This verb phrase is used to describe the act of progressing, advancing, or gaining an advantage in a situation. It often suggests steady, sometimes hard-won, forward movement. - It is typically used in continuous or perfect tenses to describe ongoing or achieved progress. - It is often used in contexts involving work, projects, travel, competition, or personal development.

Examples
  • Verb:
    • The research team is finally making headway on the complex problem.
    • Despite the storm, the ship managed to make headway toward the harbor.
    • We have made significant headway in reducing our expenses this quarter.
Advanced Usage
  • "to make little/no headway": to make very little or no progress.
    • The negotiators made little headway during the first day of talks.
  • "to make considerable/substantial headway": to make a significant amount of progress.
    • The charity has made substantial headway in its fundraising campaign.
Variants and Related Words
  • Headway (n): Progress or forward movement.
    • Traffic was moving at a slow headway.
  • Gain ground (verb phrase): A close synonym meaning to advance or become more popular/successful.
    • The new policy is gaining ground with voters.
Synonyms
  • Advance: To move forward in a purposeful way.
  • Progress: To move forward or toward a destination or goal.
  • Gain ground: To make progress, especially in a competitive context.
Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
  • Pull ahead: To move into a leading position.
    • The runner pulled ahead in the final lap.
  • Get ahead: To become successful or to make progress.
    • She studied hard to get ahead in her career.
Related Idioms
  • Break new ground: To do something innovative that has not been done before.
    • The scientist's research broke new ground in renewable energy.
  • Forge ahead: To move forward with determination and strength.
    • The company decided to forge ahead with the new product launch despite the challenges.
make headway

The team began to make headway in the second half.

Verb
  1. obtain advantages, such as points, etc.
    • The home team was gaining ground
    • After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference