Idiom B1

Get the ball rolling

To start an activity or process so that others can continue with it.

Meaning

Get the ball rolling — To start an activity or process so that others can continue with it. When you get the ball rolling, you take the first step that sets everything else in motion.

Origin & Etymology

The phrase comes from ball sports where a game begins when the ball is rolled or kicked into play. Once the ball is in motion, all the other players can join in and the game can proceed. This sporting image transferred naturally into everyday language: one person starts something, and everyone else can then participate or build on it.

Early recorded uses appear in American English in the 19th century, often in political contexts where a campaign would 'get the ball rolling' to gather momentum. Over time the phrase spread into business, education, and general conversation across all English-speaking countries.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
I'll get the ball rolling by sending the agenda to everyone before the meeting.Workplace — initiating a meeting process
The teacher got the ball rolling with a short warm-up activity before the main lesson.Classroom — starting a lesson
Someone needs to get the ball rolling on the fundraiser — shall I contact the venue?Informal — volunteering to start a project
The new CEO got the ball rolling on the restructuring plan within her first week.Business news — formal written context

How to Use It

Register: informal to semi-formal. You will hear 'get the ball rolling' in everyday spoken English, business emails, team meetings, and news articles. It fits naturally wherever you want to describe starting something — a project, a discussion, a process, or a social event.

Use it when one person takes the initiative to begin an activity that others will then continue. It often implies that the start is the hardest part, and once begun the rest will follow more easily. Avoid it in very formal documents — in contracts or academic writing, prefer 'initiate', 'commence', or 'begin'.

You can vary the subject naturally: 'She got the ball rolling', 'Let's get the ball rolling', or 'Who is going to get the ball rolling?' All are idiomatic and common.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

He made the ball rolling with a short introduction.

He got the ball rolling with a short introduction. — Always use 'get', not 'make' or 'do'.

She got the ball rolling the project yesterday.

She got the ball rolling on the project yesterday. — Use 'on' when mentioning what was started.

I got the ball rolling at the end of the meeting to finish things up.

I wrapped things up at the end of the meeting. — 'Get the ball rolling' means to start, not to finish; never use it to describe ending something.

Related Idioms

Break a leg Break the ice Hit the ground running Jump on the bandwagon Bite the bullet All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Get the ball rolling" mean?
"Get the ball rolling" means to start an activity or process so that others can continue with it. It describes the action of initiating something and setting it in motion for everyone else to build on.
Where does the idiom "Get the ball rolling" come from?
The phrase comes from ball sports where a game begins when the ball is rolled or kicked into play. Once the ball is in motion, other players can participate. The idiom transferred this idea to any activity: one person starts it, and others join in. Early uses appear in 19th-century American English.
Can you give an example of "Get the ball rolling" in a sentence?
Here is an example: "I'll get the ball rolling by sending the agenda to everyone before the meeting." — used when one person takes the initiative to begin a group activity.
Is "Get the ball rolling" formal or informal?
It is used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. You will hear it in business meetings, team discussions, emails, and casual conversation. It is generally avoided in very formal written documents such as contracts or academic papers, where "initiate" or "commence" are preferred.
What CEFR level is "Get the ball rolling"?
This idiom is typically taught at B1 level. It is an intermediate expression that appears frequently in spoken and written English, especially in workplace and collaborative contexts.
What are common mistakes with "Get the ball rolling"?
The most common mistake is using the wrong verb — do not say "make the ball rolling" or "do the ball rolling". Always use "get". Another error is omitting "on" when specifying what was started: say "get the ball rolling on the project", not "get the ball rolling the project". Finally, do not use this idiom to mean finishing something — it only refers to starting.
What idioms are similar to "Get the ball rolling"?
Similar idioms include: kick things off, break the ice, set the wheels in motion, hit the ground running, and take the first step. These all describe starting or initiating something but may differ slightly in emphasis or context.
How do I practise idioms like "Get the ball rolling"?
LexFizz's Quiz, True or False, and Matching Pairs exercises are great for practising English idioms. Try writing your own example sentences using the idiom in a work or school context, and listen for it in podcasts, team meetings, and films.
Can "Get the ball rolling" be used in writing?
Yes, it works well in informal emails, business messages, and blog posts. For example: "To get the ball rolling, I have attached a draft proposal for your review." Avoid it in formal academic writing or legal documents where plain language is preferred.
Does "Get the ball rolling" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, "Get the ball rolling" is understood in both British and American English with the same meaning: to start something. It is widely recognised across all major varieties of English and is commonly used in international business communication.