Hit the straps

Get into one’s stride, to be up and running and performing well; dates from the early 20th century. Itinerant bush workers in Australia would decamp, strap their various belongings together and be on their way, usually on horseback. This process became known as hitting the straps. Since then, towards the end of the 20th century, the expression spread to the UK and other English-speaking countries particularly in the context of sports, such as cricket, rugby, cycling, horseracing etc. For example, a fast bowler in cricket, when into his rhythm and bowling well, would be described as hitting his straps.