get the ball rolling

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

JPMorgan will get the ball rolling on financials next week, with first quarter updates following from the country’s biggest banks, as analysts see sector earnings rising 18% to around $98.5 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

In industries such as construction, sufficient capacity already exists to get the ball rolling on investment, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

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

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

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 • Dec. 17, 2024

Haymitch is whisked away on a stretcher, and Effie Trinket is trying to get the ball rolling again.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins