The idiomatic expression "get the ball rolling" means to begin something, to set an activity or process in motion. It suggests starting a project, task, or discussion. The focus is on the initial action that leads to further development or progress.
While the exact origin is unclear, the image evokes a large ball that requires significant initial effort to start moving, but then continues with its own momentum. It's a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
"Get the ball rolling" is a versatile idiom. It can be modified with adverbs (e.g., "quickly get the ball rolling") and used in various tenses (e.g., "got the ball rolling," "getting the ball rolling"). It can also be used in the passive voice (e.g., "to get the ball rolled"), although this is less common.
It sounds unnatural to use it in a purely literal sense (e.g., "He literally got the ball rolling down the hill"). Also, avoid over-literal interpretations or forced modifications that stray from the intended figurative meaning. For example, saying "get the sphere rolling" sounds awkward.
These examples are sourced from get the ball rolling on Ludwig.guru.
"Argentina get the ball rolling." — The Guardian - Sport
"Moross helped get the ball rolling." — The Guardian - Business
"Get the ball rolling with a phone call." — Harvard University
"Sounds like it's time to get the ball rolling!" — Columbia University
"I want to get the ball rolling now." — The New York Times - Magazine
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/get+the+ball+rolling
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| kick something off | Informal; emphasizes starting an event or activity. |
| set the stage | Focuses on preparing for something; slightly more formal. |
| get started | A more direct and simple way to say "begin". |
| initiate | More formal; implies a more structured or official beginning. |
| commence | Very formal; often used in legal or official contexts. |
| launch | Suggests a formal beginning, often used for products or projects. |
| get underway | Implies progress after the initial start. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| get the ball rolling | To start an activity or process; to initiate something. | Neutral | Situations requiring literal descriptions of rolling objects. |
No, the expression "get the ball rolling" is almost always used figuratively. While it contains the words "ball" and "rolling," it rarely refers to a physical ball. The idiom specifically denotes starting a process or initiating an activity.
"Get the ball rolling" means to start something, whereas "keep the ball rolling" means to maintain the progress or momentum of something that has already started. The first focuses on initiation, while the second focuses on continuation.
Learners often mistakenly use a literal interpretation or confuse it with similar expressions about progress. Avoid using it to describe a physical action involving a ball or using it when you mean to continue something, rather than begin it. Remember, "get the ball rolling" is about starting, not sustaining.
Tools