For Individuals|For Teachers
Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Popular Words
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Own Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Popular Words
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

get the ball rolling

/ɡɛt ðə bɔːl ˈroʊlɪŋ/
idiom★Intermediate◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To initiate or start a process, activity, or project that has been delayed or is just beginning.
¶ Literal Meaning
To physically start a ball moving in a rolling motion, as in a game.
Literal Breakdown
getto obtain or achieve+the balla spherical object+rollingmoving in a circular motion
◇ Mental Image
The mental image of a ball being set in motion, symbolizing the start of an activity or process.
◈ When to Use
In a business meeting, a project manager might say, 'Let's get the ball rolling on the new product development plan.' This means they want to start the planning process immediately.
◉ Cultural Note
The phrase is widely used in English-speaking countries and is understood in both professional and casual contexts. It is particularly common in business and project management settings.
informal

To start a process, activity, or project that has been delayed or is just beginning.

The manager decided to get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign.

The team leader suggested we get the ball rolling with the project proposal.

💡

This idiom is commonly used in both professional and casual contexts to indicate the initiation of an action.

Collocations

get the ball rollingstart something that has been delayed

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

kick offidiom
to start something, especially an event or project
hit the ground runningidiom
to start something with great energy and enthusiasm

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'get the ball rolling' when you want to emphasize the beginning of a process that has been planned but not yet executed.

⚡Gold Rule

Context Rule

This idiom is informal and should be used in casual or semi-formal settings. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from sports, particularly ball games like cricket or baseball, where the game begins when the ball is set in motion. It was later adopted into general English to describe the start of any process.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from business meetings to casual conversations. It is particularly useful when referring to the beginning of a project or task that has been planned but not yet started.

Word Breakdown

get
to obtain or achieve
verb
+
the ball
a spherical object used in sports
noun phrase
+
rolling
moving in a circular motion
verb
✎ Noted on June 2, 2026EN → EN

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →