get the ball rolling

1. Also, keep the ball rolling. Start an undertaking; also, keep an undertaking from flagging. For example, Let's get the ball rolling by putting up some posters, or The hostess kept the ball rolling, talking to each of the guests in turn. This expression originated in one or another sport in which it was important to keep a ball moving. [Colloquial; late 1700s] Also see get the show on the road.

Example Sentences

“When you’re winning games that’s a great time to have a congested schedule because things are flowing and going in the right direction. So it’s important to get us going, get the ball rolling in the right direction.”

From Los Angeles Times

A site owned by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, in west Harlow, was purchased by PHE for £30m to get the ball rolling in 2017.

From BBC

So when he first took the reins of USC’s front office in late January, Bowden set out looking for something small to improve right away, to get the ball rolling and set a tone in the building.

From Los Angeles Times

“Happy to help get the ball rolling. Money where my mouth is!”

From Los Angeles Times

City officials said they hope to use Rosales’ research as part of a nomination package for the state Office of Historic Preservation to get the ball rolling on a much-hoped-for official designation.

From Los Angeles Times