get the ball rolling

and set the ball rolling; start the ball rolling

Fig. to get a process started. (See also keep the ball rolling) If I could just get the ball rolling, then other people would help. Who else would start the ball rolling? I had the ball rolling, but no one helped me with the project.

get the ball rolling

also start the ball rolling

to begin something We've been trying to get the ball rolling on construction of a new playground. She was hoping that a meeting with senior managers would get the ball rolling.

get the ball rolling

Also, keep the ball rolling. Start an undertaking; also, keep an undertaking from flagging. For example, Let's get the ball rolling by putting up some posters, or The hostess kept the ball rolling, talking to each of the guests in turn. This expression originated in one or another sport in which it was important to keep a ball moving. [Colloquial; late 1700s] Also see get the show on the road.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Talmai	-	Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Eligia	e-LEEG-yah (Polish)	Polish, Late Roman
Joshua	['dʒɔʃwə]
Lulu	['lu:lu:]
Lauretta	[lɔ:'retə]
Ling	-	Chinese