English idiom

get the ball rolling

Register · Informal 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

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

from scratch

from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier

in the early days

during the beginning stages of something

a whole new ball game

A completely different situation from before.

back to square one

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

come into play

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.

External links

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