getting the ball rolling

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting the ball rolling" is a common phrase used in written English.
It usually means to take the first action to start a process or to initiate something. For example, "I think it's time to start planning our fundraiser. Let's get the ball rolling and figure out a date and venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Second half: The second half kicks off, with Anzhi getting the ball rolling.

The Guardian - Sport

"When I see it in action, then I'll say, 'This is fantastic.' For now, we're just getting the ball rolling".

The New York Times

The request came amid an apparent delay in getting the ball rolling on talks to finalise the package.

The Guardian

3.01pm GMT 1 min: And we're off, with Nigeria getting the ball rolling in what will, hopefully, be an entertaining match.

The Guardian - Sport

But the floodgates finally opened in the last quarter, with some smart snaps from Pavlich and goals to Danyle Pearce and Walters getting the ball rolling.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's perhaps because there isn't someone at the very top level getting the ball rolling for others to follow, but I'm hoping this changes," Young says.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It got the ball rolling".

The New Yorker

We have got the ball rolling".

The New York Times

You get the ball rolling.

The New York Times - Magazine

That got the ball rolling".

The Guardian - Money

We got the ball rolling".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting the ball rolling" to introduce the idea of initiating a project or task, particularly when emphasizing the importance of making an initial effort to begin.

Common error

While widely understood, "getting the ball rolling" can sound informal in highly professional settings. Consider alternatives like "initiating the process" or "commencing operations" for a more suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting the ball rolling" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. It often acts as a noun, describing the action of initiating or starting a process. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which shows examples where it's used to describe the act of commencing activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting the ball rolling" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of initiating a process or project. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a gerund phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally considered neutral in register, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives in highly professional settings. Several related phrases, such as "initiating the process" and "starting the activity", offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. Ludwig AI's analysis and the examples provided confirm its widespread use and clear meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiating the process

Focuses more on the formal action of beginning a procedure.

starting the activity

Highlights the commencement of an action.

launching the project

Emphasizes the start of a specific undertaking.

commencing operations

More formal and business-oriented.

kicking things off

More informal and energetic.

setting in motion

Emphasizes the act of causing something to begin moving or progressing.

getting underway

Implies a gradual start or commencement.

getting started

A more general term for beginning an activity.

setting the stage

Suggests preparing for the beginning of something.

lighting the fuse

Implies setting off a series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "getting the ball rolling" in a sentence?

You can use "getting the ball rolling" to describe the act of starting a process. For example, "The meeting is about "getting the ball rolling" on the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "getting the ball rolling"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "initiating the process", "starting the activity", or "kicking things off" instead of "getting the ball rolling".

Is "getting the ball rolling" appropriate for formal writing?

While "getting the ball rolling" is widely understood, it may be considered too informal for some formal writing contexts. In such cases, consider using a more formal alternative like "commencing operations".

What does it mean to "get the ball rolling"?

To "get the ball rolling" means to start something, to initiate a process or activity. It implies making the first move to begin progress on a task or project.