get the ball rolling

Meaning

This expression means to set an activity, project, or process in motion, or to make the first move to start something. It is widely used in casual business environments, brainstorming sessions, and project kickoffs to encourage action. The tone is motivating, energetic, and informal.

Examples

• We need to get the ball rolling on this project before the deadline catches up with us.

  We need to get the ball rolling on this project before the deadline catches up with us.

• To get the ball rolling, I've already drafted a rough outline of the presentation.

  To get the ball rolling, I've already drafted a rough outline of the presentation.

• Who wants to get the ball rolling by sharing their initial thoughts?

  Who wants to get the ball rolling by sharing their initial thoughts?

• Let's schedule a kickoff call next Monday to get the ball rolling.

  Let's schedule a kickoff call next Monday to get the ball rolling.

• Once we get the ball rolling, the rest of the tasks will be much easier to complete.

  Once we get the ball rolling, the rest of the tasks will be much easier to complete.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's start the ball rolling.

  ✓ Let's get the ball rolling.

  While 'start the ball rolling' is occasionally heard, 'get the ball rolling' is the far more natural and common idiomatic collocation in international business English.

• ✗ We need to get the ball rolling of the new campaign.

  ✓ We need to get the ball rolling on the new campaign.

  Use the preposition 'on' (not 'of' or 'for') to specify the project or task you are starting.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We've been talking about this for weeks; it's time to ___.

  💡 Start taking action.

  Show answer

  get the ball rolling

• To ___, let's introduce ourselves and state our roles.

  💡 Start the meeting or process.

  Show answer

  get the ball rolling