idiom · informal
get the ball rolling
UK/ɡet ðə bɔːl ˈrəʊlɪŋ/US/ɡet ðə bɔːl ˈroʊlɪŋ/get·the·BALL·ROLL·ing
speakingtask2
to start something, especially a process or activity
Examples
“Let's get the ball rolling on the research by assigning tasks now.”
“To get the ball rolling, she sent an introductory email to the team.”
“We need someone to take initiative and get the ball rolling.”
Band 8 sentence
“To ensure progress, I'll get the ball rolling by drafting the first outline and sharing it by Friday.”
Collocations
- get the ball rolling on a project
- help/get somebody to get the ball rolling
Word family
get the ball rolling (phrase) verb phrase
Common mistakes
Let's get ball rolling.→Let's get the ball rolling.
Get the ball run.→Get the ball rolling.
Say it for a higher band
5start→6initiate→7+get the ball rolling
Synonyms
start off
initiate
Easily confused
kick off
“The conference will kick off at 9 a.m.”
Related words
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In Communication
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