get the ball rolling
/ˌɡet ðə ˈbɔːl ˈrəʊlɪŋ/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
to make something start happening
Examples
- 1Let's get the ball rolling with a quick round of introductions.
- 2Aisha got the ball rolling on the street party by printing flyers for every house.
- 3Nobody wanted to speak first at the meeting, so the manager got the ball rolling with her own idea.
- 4If we want the new library open by spring, who's going to get the ball rolling?
- 5The fundraiser finally took off once Tom's generous donation got the ball rolling.
Grammar
Only get changes form: got, getting. set and start are also used in place of get; keep the ball rolling means to keep something going. rolling does not change.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about sports
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →throw in the towelto stop trying because you know you cannot succeeda level playing fielda situation where everyone has the same chancejump the gunto act too soon, before the right momentbelow the beltunfair and cruel, especially of a remarkdrop the ballto make a mistake by failing to deal with somethingpar for the coursewhat is normal or expected, usually something bad
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
