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.
to form or cause to form a cylindrical shape
(tr) to wrap (an object) round on itself or on an axis
to roll up a map
informal (intr) to arrive, esp in a vehicle
(intr) to proceed or develop
(intr) to assemble; congregate
informal a cigarette made by hand from loose tobacco and cigarette paper
(in the 19th century) a mass meeting of workers on an issue of common concern
archaic the attendance at any fixture
they had a good 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 .
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.
First recorded in 1745–55; noun use of verb phrase roll up
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Critics say it shows the dangers of the so-called roll-up strategy, in which a buyer—often a private-equity firm—acquires and merges many small competing companies into a single large one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
When police opened the roll-up door, they found 21 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels confined inside, several of which were pregnant.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
In private equity, a roll-up has historically meant buying companies, consolidating them to achieve an economy of scale and then flipping the larger entity for profit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
QXO, the building products roll-up founded by billionaire Brad Jacobs, announced on Sunday that it would acquire insulation firm TopBuild for $17 billion, expanding its capabilities across the building products value chain.
From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026
A grocery store down the block is opening its roll-up doors for business as the moon hangs high above this bank up ahead.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Grandparents have to roll up their sleeves and help with activities, schedules and problem-solving.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Fire crews were ordered to roll up their hoses, despite complaints that a more thorough mop-up was needed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
Now, 529 accounts open for at least 15 years can roll up to $35,000 into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, subject to annual contribution limits.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026
Walkers must therefore roll up their trousers and wade across the river within an hour either side of low tide.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026
“Don’t touch me. You could get very sick if you touch me. Just roll up the tent with me inside it, and take the thing to a hospital.”
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
“I think we’re about two-and-a-half years into a 10- to 15-year cycle of AI-enabled roll-ups winning out in these trillion-dollar industries and spaces,” he said, citing software as an example.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
The FTC began to target roll-ups for the first time under President Joe Biden, according to Garden-Monheit.
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2025
"The FTC will continue to scrutinize and challenge serial acquisitions, roll-ups, and other stealth consolidation schemes that unlawfully undermine fair competition and harm the American public," Khan said in a statement on Thursday.
From Reuters ● Sep. 21, 2023
We were girls who loved puffy stickers, fruit roll-ups, jelly shoes, Madonna bracelets and Cabbage Patch Kids.
From New York Times ● Apr. 27, 2023
He was bringin’ out a pile of suit-cases and roll-ups, and pretty soon a taxicab drove up with a man inside.
From The Crevice by Grefé, Will
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
