Think outside the box

[0435] Get the ball rolling

🎲 Low-hanging fruit
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To start a process, activity, project, or discussion; to initiate action.

Origin

  • Likely derived from sports like croquet, bowling, or billiards where hitting or rolling a ball initiates the game or a turn.
  • The phrase implies setting something in motion. Dates back to the 19th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Start / Begin
  • Initiate
  • Kick off (very common synonym)
  • Get started
  • Set things in motion
  • Get underway
  • Get cracking (Informal, UK/Aus start working hard)
  • Fire away (Informal often to start questions/ideas)
  • Launch

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Let's kick this off. / Kick things off.
  • Let's get cracking. (UK/Aus/NZ Let's start working quickly/energetically)
  • Let's do this thing! / Let's do this! (Enthusiastic start)
  • Alright, let's rock and roll! / Let's roll! (Energetic start)
  • Let's jump in. / Dive in. (Start enthusiastically)

Milder/Standard:

  • Let's begin.
  • Let's start.
  • Time to get started.

More Formal:

  • Let us commence.
  • We shall now initiate...
  • The first order of business is...

Situational Appropriateness

  • Common and appropriate in informal and semi-formal settings (work meetings, project kick-offs, group activities, starting discussions).
  • Generally positive and encourages action.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally clear due to widespread use. Ensure context clarifies *what* activity or process is being started.

Examples

  • Okay team, let's get the ball rolling on brainstorming ideas for the new campaign.
  • Who wants to volunteer to get the ball rolling with the first presentation?
  • I'll send out the invites today to get the ball rolling for the party planning.

Dialogue

Meeting Chair: We've discussed the objectives. Any questions before we start the workshop activities? (Silence) Okay then, let's get the ball rolling! Group 1, you can start with Exercise A.

Group 1 Member: Alright, here we go! Who wants to read the instructions first?

Social Media Examples

  • Event Post: Our annual fundraiser planning starts now! Let's get the ball rolling with our first committee meeting next Tuesday. DM if you want to join! #fundraising #community #volunteer
  • Tweet: Just outlined my next big project! Feeling motivated. Time to get the ball rolling on the actual work tomorrow morning. 💪 #goals #productivity #letsdothis

Response Patterns

  • Alright, let's do it! / Okay, I'm ready!
  • Great idea. What's the first step?
  • Sure, I can start by... (Volunteering)
  • Sounds good!

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Immediately followed by proposing or taking the first concrete step (Okay, I'll start by...).
  • Assigning the first task (Sarah, can you get the ball rolling by...?).
  • Someone volunteering to initiate (I can get the ball rolling.).

Conversation Starter

  • Yes. Excellent way to transition from discussion/planning to action in a group setting.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on GET and BALL. Let's GET the BALL rolling.
  • Tone is typically enthusiastic, action-oriented, or encouraging.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common across English-speaking regions.
Think outside the box
🎲 Low-hanging fruit