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

It’s time to hire a lawyer and get the ball rolling on probate, and make sure these accounts are dealt with properly.

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And Musk says he’s ready to get the ball rolling.

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For all of your sakes, hire an attorney and get the ball rolling.

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“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.”

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

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