steam = overtake?

[nyota]

Can 'steam sb' be slang for 'overtake sb'?

 

[Afit]

Can 'steam sb' be slang for 'overtake sb'?

To make sy angry.

 

[nyota]

Hi Afit, thanks for replying. Yes, I was familiar with the 'make sb angry' meaning, I was just wondering about the particular usage I asked about in the OP. So I guess that means 'no'?

 

[emsr2d2]

Can 'steam [STRIKE]sb[/STRIKE] somebody' be slang for 'overtake [STRIKE]sb[/STRIKE] somebody'?

I've never heard it used like that. We say "He is steaming ahead" when talking about a race, to show that someone is in first place and is getting further ahead all the time.

Please note that we encourage people not to use "sb", "sth" etc on the forum. We're aware that they're used in dictionary definitions but there are learners on this site who are true beginners so we try to use complete English words at all times.

 

[nyota]

I've never heard it used like that. We say "He is steaming ahead" when talking about a race, to show that someone is in first place and is getting further ahead all the time.

Please note that we encourage people not to use "sb", "sth" etc on the forum. We're aware that they're used in dictionary definitions but there are learners on this site who are true beginners so we try to use complete English words at all times.

The power of habit, I'll be more careful. However, I think beginners are more familiar with abbreviations such as "sb" or "sth/ smth" precisely because of the fact they're only starting and so, using dictionaries a lot. "OP" on the other hand, which is more commonly used in here and generally accepted I think (?), might not be that clear.

 

[BobK]

To make sy angry.

:-?:-?:-?

nyota: 'steam past' may be used to mean 'overtake', but only because of the 'past'. 'To steam', in this sense, just means 'to go fast'. (You might just as well think 'whiz' means 'overtake' because 'whiz past' does [=to overtake at speed).

'Steam' can mean several other things, though I've never met it used to mean make someone angry. There is the collocation 'steaming angry' which (not unlike its near-synonym 'hopping mad') doesn't involve actual steam [or, mutatis mutandis, hopping ;-)]

b

 

[Tdol]

It's in the AHD as to become very angry:
steam - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

 

[Afit]

:-?:-?:-?

I am pulling a face exactly like this when spinach is served with vinegar at the canteen.

'Steam' can mean several other things, though I've never met it used to mean make someone angry.

to get someone angry. (See also steamed (up).) : This whole mess steamed me up but good.

to anger someone. : The prof steamed the class with the long assignment.

Steam | Define Steam at Dictionary.com

 

[Afit]

Can 'steam sb' be slang for 'overtake sb'?

Nyota, your avatar, is this child eating something underwater? Is he eating this:

?

 

[White Hat]

The one in the OP's avatar looks like watermelon to me.

 

[nyota]

Nyota, your avatar, is this child eating something underwater? Is he eating this: [...][/COLOR]
?

The one in the OP's avatar looks like watermelon to me.

It is a watermelon.

I also googled what "langos" was, as I had never heard about it before, and I must say that it probably wouldn't be too convenient to chomp on bread underwater. ;-) On a side note, it's really amazing how many bread-like things you can make just using flour yeast and water or milk.

 

[BobK]

It's in the AHD as to become very angry:
steam - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Not a usage I've met. Anyway, there's a fairly big difference between becoming angry and making someone angry.

b

 

[BobK]

Afterthought:

Can 'steam sb' be slang for 'overtake sb'?

There's a criminal meaning of 'steaming' which involves a crowd of young muggers charging through a tube-train, shouting, threatening, and stealing portable valuables from everyone they pass. As with 'steam past', as discussed in my previous post, the 'overtake' meaning comes from the context: they steal from everyone they overtake.

b