a rolling stone

rolling stone

A person who wanders or travels often and at length, without settling down for any significant period of time. Based on the proverb "a rolling stone gathers no moss." I never knew my father very well. He became a bit of a rolling stone after my sister was born, so he'd only ever hang around for a week or two at a time.
See also: roll, stone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a rolling stone

a person who does not settle in one place for long.
This expression comes from the proverb a rolling stone gathers no moss , meaning that a person who is always moving on will not accumulate wealth or status, or responsibilities or commitments.
See also: roll, stone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a rolling ˈstone (gathers no ˈmoss)

(saying) a person who moves from place to place, job to job, etc. and so does not have a lot of money, possessions or friends but is free from responsibilities
See also: roll, stone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • a man is judged by the company he keeps
  • a man is known by the company he keeps
  • tomorrow never comes
  • after a storm comes a calm
  • after the storm comes a calm
  • calm
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
References in periodicals archive
Edwaurdo Arias tweeted "How does it feel to be without a home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone?" Meanwhile, Trippygyp$y joked that papa was a rolling stone, mamma developed a habit.
Shocking Error at Rolling Stone Cover Becomes a Twitter Joke
Like A Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads is a history of pinpoint focus upon the history of one of the greatest popular music singles ever made: "Like A Rolling Stone" by the legendary Bob Dylan.
Like A Rolling Stone
Greil Marcus's new study of Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is another kind of song biography entirely: not an autopsy, but a reading in which the roots of the song are left alive and thriving.
"Like a Rolling Stone" grew from any number of direct and indirect influences: The specters of other pieces of music--from Son House's "My Black Mama" to Hank Williams's "Lost Highway" to Muddy Waters's "Rolling Stone"--breathe in unison with it.
Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the crossroads
If you've read all the other Dylan coverages, Like A Rolling Stone provides a more precise look at the sources of his inspiration--from an insider's view.
Like a Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan's 40-year-old masterpiece Like A Rolling Stone has been voted the greatest song of all time by a panel of experts.
The celebrity panel included Joni Mitchell, TV chat show host David Letterman, band leader Paul Shaffer j.dingwall@dailyrecord.co.ukand critic David Hinckley.The top 20 songs were: 1Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan Released in 1965, this shows Robert Allan Zimmerman at the height of his songwriting powers.
STONE AGE; Bob Dylan's classic is voted the greatest song of all time
There is a Rolling Stones live show coming to TheEmpire Theatre, Liverpool this October.
The world's leading Mick Jagger double is starring in The Rolling Stones Story at the Liverpool Empire Theatre; The show is headed up by the world's leading Mick Jagger double and includes classic hits from the infamous band
Prices are pretty reasonable too, with long sleeve t-shirts from [pounds sterling]40, short sleeve t-shirts for [pounds sterling]30, caps and woollen hats for [pounds sterling]25, bandanas for [pounds sterling]20, scarves for [pounds sterling]20, tote bags for [pounds sterling]15, mugs for [pounds sterling]15, keyrings for [pounds sterling]12, and wristbands for [pounds sterling]10 and you can even get your hand son a Rolling Stones rug for [pounds sterling]70.
The astonishing Rolling Stones' merchandise range on sale at their Cardiff gig; It's alright now... there's plenty of choice at The Principality Stadium
WHEN Linda Langeveld was turned away from a Rolling Stones gig in Coventry in 1964, she thought she'd missed her chance.
Wild horses couldn't keep Stones fan Linda away from Ricoh gig! AFTER MISSING OUT ON SEEING MICK & CO AT THE LOCARNO 54 YEARS AGO, MUM FINALLY GETS TO SEE HER FAVOURITE BAND
The fun will begin with a Rolling Stones show at the o2 Arena in London on November 25th, and another show at the same locale will take place on November 29th.
Inside Air Travel
You could also win the chance to be a Rolling Stones roadie for a day!
WIN STONES FREE! FIVE VIP WEEKEND PACKAGES TO SEE THE ROLLING STONES