get the ball rolling

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

To start an activity or process.

Why this phrase?

Setting a ball in motion so momentum carries it forward.

Example

“Let's get the ball rolling by introducing ourselves.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

back to basics Neutral · CEFR B1

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

from scratch Informal · CEFR B1

from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier

in the early days Neutral · CEFR B1

during the beginning stages of something

a whole new ball game Informal · CEFR B2

A completely different situation from before.

back to square one Neutral · CEFR B2

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

come into play Neutral · CEFR B2

to start to have an effect or become relevant

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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