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Get the ball rolling

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To initiate an activity, process, or project; it often involves taking the first step to get the momentum started and encourage others to follow suit.

Detailed Definition
Get the ball rolling means to begin a process, conversation, movement, or action that others may then continue. In poetry, the idiom suggests momentum created by an initial push. It can describe starting a journey, protest, reconciliation, performance, lesson, or creative act. A poet may use it at the opening of a narrative to show how small beginnings lead to larger consequences. The phrase is useful for exploring initiation, agency, and the way motion gathers once first resistance is overcome.
Example
Example in poetry:
Initiation: "One kind word can get the ball rolling toward reconciliation."; Starting: "She helped get the ball rolling on community healing projects."; Example: "Motivates action in activist poetry."; "Let's get the ball rolling on this vision."
Additional Notes
Initiation starter, launches momentum in activist or creative process works. Usage tip: Motivate action.
Also Known As
Get the show on the road Start the ball rolling Kick things off Get things moving
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