# take roll

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-roll
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To call out the names of people on a list to check their presence; to take attendance.

## Examples

- The teacher starts every class by taking roll.
- 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.

## Origin

From the noun *roll*, signifying a catalogue or list of names. The term reflects the physical form of early records, which were inscribed on continuous lengths of parchment or paper and stored in a rolled state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.