cobrar fuerza
verbCEFR B2
What does “cobrar fuerza” mean in English?
to gain momentum, to gather strength
to gain momentum, to gather strength (cobrar = acquire; trends, ideas, movements as subject; growing not yet at peak)
Example sentences
La demanda de una renta básica universal cobra fuerza entre economistas de distintas corrientes.
The demand for a universal basic income is gaining momentum among economists from different schools.
A medida que la crisis se prolongaba, cobraba fuerza la hipótesis de una intervención estatal.
As the crisis dragged on, the hypothesis of state intervention was gaining strength.
La propuesta cobró fuerza inesperadamente tras la publicación del informe.
The proposal gained unexpected momentum following the publication of the report.
How to use it
Cobrar fuerza means 'to gain momentum', 'to gather strength', 'to grow in influence'. It describes a trend, idea, movement, or position that is becoming stronger over time. Construction: cobrar fuerza (intransitive; subject = the growing thing): 'cobra fuerza la idea de que…'. Contrast with estar en boga (at peak trendiness) and cobrar importancia (gaining significance — more about relevance than momentum). The three cobrar collocations (fuerza, importancia, vida) share the same verbal frame.
Common mistake
Cobrar fuerza ≠ hacerse más fuerte (to become stronger, physical). Cobrar fuerza is specifically about trends, ideas, movements gaining momentum. Don't confuse with ganar fuerza (acceptable synonym but less formal) or estar en boga (already at peak). The verb is always cobrar — not *tomar fuerza or *adquirir fuerza in this collocation.