traction
Definitions
The grip of a wheel, tire, or foot on a surface
附着力，抓地力
The act of pulling, or the force used in pulling
牵引；牵引力
Progress or popularity that an idea, product, or movement starts to gain
（想法、产品、运动获得的）进展，势头，关注度
A medical pulling force applied to a limb to set a bone
（医疗）牵引疗法
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtract (pull) + -ion (act) = 'the act of pulling/gripping.' A tire needs traction to pull against the road. The figurative sense — 'gaining traction' — pictures an idea finally getting enough grip to start pulling itself forward.
Root tra still carries 109 more wordsWhy It Means This
Traction shows how a concrete pulling word turns into a business buzzword. Physically, traction is the friction that lets a wheel pull a vehicle forward instead of spinning in place. Startups borrowed exactly that picture: a product that 'gains traction' has stopped spinning its wheels and started moving — it has gripped the market.
Common Collocations
- 1.gain traction获得进展/关注
- 2.lose traction失去抓地力
- 3.gain little traction未获多少关注
- 4.traction control牵引力控制系统
Example Sentences
- 1.
The car lost traction on the icy road and skidded.
- 2.
The startup's app is finally gaining traction with younger users.
- 3.
After surgery, his leg was kept in traction for two weeks.