The teacher starts every class by taking roll.
take roll
idiomTo call out the names of people on a list to check their presence; to take attendance.
Origin
disputed originFrom roll (“catalogue, list”).
Please sit in your assigned seats while I take roll at the start of the lecture.
The professor paused his opening remarks to take roll, ensuring that every student enrolled in the seminar was present before he began the discussion.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
call roll
To make a roll call; to take attendance.
- 03
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 04
dice roll
Something unpredictable or unexpected.
- 05
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 06
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 07
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 08
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
Last updated April 17, 2026