Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

get the ball rolling

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.36 in modern English

Syllables: get the bal-l rolling
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

2

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To begin; to start some action; to set in motion.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Did you ever get the ball rolling on your plans to build a shed?"
"The execution of Littlefinger is formal, although his trial admittedly gives us ample opportunity to appreciate the tables finally turning on the man who got the ball rolling on all this bloodshed."
"I knew who you were as a [RuPaul's] Drag Race fan. So I was gagged personally and I still am gagged, but it was quite divine intervention. Thom Kerr, the photographer, really got the ball rolling and I had no idea what to expect of this shoot besides greatness."

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

gets the ball rolling (present, singular) getting the ball rolling (participle, present) got the ball rolling (past) got the ball rolling (UK, participle) gotten the ball rolling (US, participle)

Phrases

keep the ball rolling

Frequently Paired Words

keep the ball rolling

Synonyms

set the ball rolling start the ball rolling

Questions

What does get the ball rolling mean?: To begin; to start some action; to set in motion.

How to pronounce get the ball rolling

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