roll-up

[ rohl-uhp ]

noun

1. Also rollup. something, as a carpet or window shade, that can be rolled up when not in use.
2. Informal. an increase, as in value or cost.

roll up

verb

1. to form or cause to form a cylindrical shape
2. tr to wrap (an object) round on itself or on an axis

   to roll up a map

3. informal.
   intr to arrive, esp in a vehicle
4. intr to proceed or develop
5. intr to assemble; congregate

noun

1. informal.
   a cigarette made by hand from loose tobacco and cigarette paper
2. (in the 19th century) a mass meeting of workers on an issue of common concern
3. archaic.
   the attendance at any fixture

   they had a good roll-up

Word History and Origins

Origin of roll-up¹

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

Example Sentences

Since then, it has served to elect Democrats who can only win if they roll up big margins among women.

From The Daily Beast

If Obama is willing to “roll up his sleeves” on ISIS he can restore that strong legacy.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

See his highness roll up his sleeves in snow covered Jordanian capital.

From The Daily Beast

Volunteers roll up their sleeves every day to make New York a stronger and better place to live.

From The Daily Beast

It reminds me of those snow-balls the boys roll up at home—the crowd gathers as it proceeds!

From Project Gutenberg

Equipage after equipage began to roll up to the palace, and set down the most brilliantly attired company of both sexes.

From Project Gutenberg

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?”

From Project Gutenberg

All that is necessary to make them high is to roll up one strip of paper on another in the rolling process.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a wooden funnel like that made of paper by village shopkeepers to roll up soft sugar in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bandage
• bind
• bundle
• cloak
• clothe
• cover
• drape
• encase
• enclose
• fold
• hide
• immerse
• pack
• sheathe
• shroud
• swaddle
• swathe

More About Roll-up

What does roll-up mean?

A roll-up is something that can be easily rolled into a cylinder, such as a rug or a window shade.

Informally, a roll-up is also an increase, such as with a roll-up cost.

Roll-up can also be spelled rollup.

Roll up means to wrap an object around itself or on an axis, as with a map.

Informally, roll up can also mean to arrive, especially in a vehicle.

Example: Roll up that blanket and throw it in the picnic basket.

Where does roll-up come from?

The first records of the term roll-up come from around 1739. It comes from the verb phrase roll up, which dates to at least 1425. Roll-up most often refers to something that can be rolled up.

You might be familiar with Fruit Roll-Ups, a snack food that is literally rolled up. And you might have had pinwheel sandwiches, which are soft tortillas that are rolled up with yummy fillings, like peanut butter and banana or meats and cheeses. These, too, are sometimes called roll-ups. In British slang a roll-up is a hand-rolled cigarette. (We prefer the sandwich type of roll-ups.)

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to roll-up?

• rollup (alternative spelling)

What are some synonyms for roll-up?

• increase

What are some words that share a root or word element with roll-up? 

• roll
• up

What are some words that often get used in discussing roll-up?

• car
• rug
• window blind
• window shade
• fillings
• tortillas

How is roll-up used in real life?

Roll up is a common verb that literally means to roll something up. Although the noun roll-up is less commonly used, it’s often used to refer to something that can be rolled up, like those yummy sandwiches.

Source with direct knowledge of the investigation, "This is a slow and methodical roll-up. They are letting them bury themselves."

— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) June 8, 2020

Roll up & get paid.

— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) December 22, 2015

Until some zombies roll up, I’m straight.

— Koe Wetzel (@KoeWetzel) March 13, 2020

 

 

Try using roll-up!

Is roll-up used correctly in the following sentence?

The blinds on that window are roll-ups so I can look outside quickly.