roll-up

[ rohl-uhp ]

/ ˈroʊlˌʌp /

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noun

Also rollup . something, as a carpet or window shade, that can be rolled up when not in use.

Informal. an increase, as in value or cost.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of roll-up

First recorded in 1745–55; noun use of verb phrase roll up

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use roll-up in a sentence

Since then, it has served to elect Democrats who can only win if they roll up big margins among women.
Dems Desperately Seeking the Gender Gap|Eleanor Clift|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If Obama is willing to “roll up his sleeves” on ISIS he can restore that strong legacy.
Leon Panetta Is What’s Wrong With D.C.|Michael Cohen|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Let me know when you're ready to light up so I can roll up the window," says Lori, our blonde, cheerful limo driver.
Welcome to the Jungle: Pot Tourism|Abby Haglage, Caitlin Dickson|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
See his highness roll up his sleeves in snow covered Jordanian capital.
Report: University of Haifa Denies Professor Honorary Doctorate Over Politics|Orly Halpern|December 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Volunteers roll up their sleeves every day to make New York a stronger and better place to live.
Hurricane Sandy Anniversary a Reminder of the Power of Volunteers|Jill W. Iscol|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It reminds me of those snow-balls the boys roll up at home—the crowd gathers as it proceeds!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Equipage after equipage began to roll up to the palace, and set down the most brilliantly attired company of both sexes.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
They may be seen to shrug a brown shoulder, to roll up a speaking eye, and at last secret burst from them: “Where is the bottle?”
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
All that is necessary to make them high is to roll up one strip of paper on another in the rolling process.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
This is a wooden funnel like that made of paper by village shopkeepers to roll up soft sugar in.
Round the Wonderful World|G. E. Mitton

British Dictionary definitions for roll-up

roll up

verb (adverb)

to form or cause to form a cylindrical shape

(tr) to wrap (an object) round on itself or on an axisto roll up a map

(intr) informal to arrive, esp in a vehicle

(intr) to proceed or develop

(intr) Australian to assemble; congregate

noun roll-up

British informal a cigarette made by hand from loose tobacco and cigarette paper

Australian (in the 19th century) a mass meeting of workers on an issue of common concern

Australian archaic the attendance at any fixturethey had a good roll-up

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with roll-up

roll up

Accumulate, as in He rolled up a fortune in commodity trading, or She rolled up a huge number of votes in this district. [Mid-1800s]

Arrive in a vehicle, as in They rolled up in a taxi at exactly eight o'clock.