Idiom
get the ball rolling
Meanings
To start an activity, project, or process so that it begins to progress.
To initiate a discussion or event by taking the first step or making the first move.
Definition
To get an activity, project, or process started and moving forward.
To get the ball rolling means to begin something and start making progress. It is often used when the first step is needed to create momentum. People commonly say it in meetings, planning, and teamwork when they want to start action rather than keep discussing.
Examples
- Let’s get the ball rolling with a quick overview of the plan.
- To get the ball rolling, I emailed everyone a draft schedule.
- We need a small budget approved to get the ball rolling.
- She told a joke to get the ball rolling at the meeting.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "make the ball rolling" instead of the correct phrase "get the ball rolling."
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.