rolled sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

"rolled sideways" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a physical movement, usually a movement that results in one being in a sideways position. For example, "She rolled sideways in an attempt to avoid the car that was coming right at her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I rolled sideways and scrambled on hands and knees into the road, hoping no other car was rolling over the cobbles.

BBC

Suddenly, he rolled sideways off the mattress.

The New Yorker

At the Post, at least one head eventually rolled — but it rolled sideways, and it quickly rejoined its body and resumed its upward trajectory.

The New Yorker

The injuries suffered by Christopher Tierney in "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" could have been far worse if he had not tucked his body and rolled sideways midair as he fell more than 20 feet at Monday's performance, doctors have told his family.

The New York Times

Perhaps had I been a bit more careful while hiking down to the canyon, instead of practising in my head all the words I knew in French that I could possibly put together to impress upon the guides and fellow travellers that I was not a complete fool after all, I would not have tripped on those stones, lost balance, fell over and then rolled sideways down the rocky hiking path.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He rolls sideways, then backwards over his head.

The Guardian - Sport

The force of that crash all but shredded the Jeep, causing it to roll sideways along the truck's flatbed before coming to rest against its driver's sleeping compartment.

The New York Times

A decade ago, under pressure so intense that amateurs can barely imagine it, he could float a chip shot up the slope of the 16th green at Augusta, stop it in exactly the right spot and watch it roll sideways down the hill before hesitating on the edge of the cup and dropping in.

The Economist

More important, however, is a new system called Dynamic Ride Control, a hydraulically actuated suspension-dampening system that counters the tendency of the car to pitch forward during hard braking or to roll sideways during aggressive cornering.

Forbes

The entire universe is mocking your futile attempts to right yourself or even roll sideways, much less reach the phone to text Jesus that you're almost certainly dying, so please ready a room.

Huffington Post

When under fire and no cover to get to, roll sideways and jump to some cover.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an attempt to avoid impact or injury, use "rolled sideways" to illustrate a quick, evasive maneuver.

Common error

Don't use "rolled sideways" to describe something that is simply lying on its side; reserve it for dynamic actions involving rotation.

Linguistic Context

"Rolled sideways" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe a completed action. Ludwig identifies it as a correct and usable phrase. It often describes a movement in which something or someone rotates to a lateral position, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rolled sideways" is a grammatically correct verb phrase most often used to describe a rotational movement to a lateral position, particularly when avoiding something or losing balance. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid phrase across different contexts, ranging from news to instructional guides. Though not extremely common, the examples highlight its descriptive utility. When writing, it’s best to reserve "rolled sideways" for dynamic actions rather than static positions. Consider alternatives like "turned over sideways" or "flipped onto its side" for more precise descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned over sideways

This alternative focuses on the turning aspect of the movement.

flipped onto its side

This emphasizes the suddenness and finality of ending up on the side.

skidded laterally

This suggests a sliding motion in a sideways direction.

tumbled to the side

This implies a less controlled, more random movement.

rotated horizontally

This provides a more technical and precise description of the movement.

shifted to the side

This suggests a small and controlled movement.

swerved horizontally

This implies a sudden change in direction to the side.

moved laterally

This is a more formal and technical term for sideways movement.

slid to the side

This suggests a smooth, continuous movement in a sideways direction.

keeled over

Specifically describes when a boat or ship turns sharply over to one side.

FAQs

How can I use "rolled sideways" in a sentence?

You can use "rolled sideways" to describe a physical action, such as: "Seeing the car coming, she "rolled sideways" to avoid being hit".

What is a good alternative to "rolled sideways"?

Alternatives include "turned over sideways", "flipped onto its side", or "skidded laterally", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "roll sideways" instead of "rolled sideways"?

While "roll sideways" might be grammatically correct in some contexts (e.g. as an instruction), ""rolled sideways"" is typically used to describe a completed action in the past tense.

What does "rolled sideways" imply about the movement?

"Rolled sideways" suggests a rotational movement resulting in a sideways orientation. It often implies an attempt to avoid something or a loss of balance.