English Reference
Idiom idiom

keep the ball rolling


To continue an action indicated in the context; to sustain a process.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

We need to keep the ball rolling on this project.

CONTEXTUAL

After the initial success of the meeting, we must keep the ball rolling to finish the report by Friday.

COMPLEX

To ensure the momentum of the campaign remains strong, the team must keep the ball rolling through the final weeks of the election.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ball hog

    In team sports, a player who keeps the ball to themselves, rather than passing it.

  2. 02

    ball of fire

    A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.

  3. 03

    ball of malt

    A glass of whiskey.

  4. 04

    balls of steel

    Courage, audacity.

  5. 05

    balls to the wall

    With maximum effort or commitment.

  6. 06

    bust one's balls

    To work very hard; to put in a lot of effort.

  7. 07

    carry the ball

    To lead in terms of responsibility, initiative, or progress.

  8. 08

    cobbler, keep to your last

    One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.

Last updated August 10, 2026