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Etymology Journal ยท G

Get the ball rolling

Meaning

To start a process or a project. It means putting something into motion so that it can continue on its own.

Productive, proactive

Used in a sentence

  • I will start the email chain to get the ball rolling on this project.
  • We need someone to step up and get the ball rolling for the fundraiser.
  • Once we get the ball rolling, the rest of the work should go much faster.

The backstory

This is a sports metaphor. Once a ball starts rolling on a field or court, the game is officially underway.

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