keep the ball rolling

keep the ball rolling

1. Literally, to make sure that a rolling ball stays in motion. You need to keep the ball rolling—that's how this game works!
2. To make sure that something, often a process, stays in motion. You'll definitely become more comfortable with driving if you keep the ball rolling with your driving lessons. I'll keep the ball rolling with the icing while you mix the batter.
See also: ball, keep, roll
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep the ball rolling

 
1. Lit. to keep a rolling ball moving. You have to throw hard enough to keep the ball rolling all the way to the bowling pins.
2. Fig. to cause something that is in progress to continue. Tom started the project, and we kept the ball rolling. Who will keep the ball rolling now that she is gone?
See also: ball, keep, roll
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

keep the ball rolling

If someone or something keeps the ball rolling, they make sure that a process continues. We realised we would need outside funding to keep the ball rolling. We made good progress at the end of last year and now I am hoping I can keep the ball rolling.
See also: ball, keep, roll
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

keep the ball rolling

maintain the momentum of an activity.
See also: ball, keep, roll
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

get/keep/set/start the ˈball rolling

begin/continue an activity, discussion, etc: I will start the ball rolling by introducing the first speaker.
See also: ball, get, keep, roll, set, start
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

keep the ball rolling, to

To continue or sustain an activity without a letup. Some writers believe this is a metaphor from ball games, but a much earlier use referred to the sun or planets (including Earth) as a rolling ball. In any event, this term became popular in the United States during the election campaign of 1840, when the supporters of candidate William Henry Harrison (“Tippecanoe” hero) rolled large “victory balls” in political parades and chanted, “Keep the Harrison ball rolling.”
See also: ball, keep
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • keep the ball rolling, to
  • be no ball of fire
  • bounce (something) back and forth
  • bounce back and forth
  • put some reverse English on it
  • in play
  • in/out of play
  • have a ball
  • advance the ball
  • v-ball
References in periodicals archive
Although it seems slightly churlish to complain about a surfeit of comedy with half-adozen comedians - plus Neil Fitzmaurice bobbing on between each to keep the ball rolling - the evening was long.
Review; THE VERY BEST OF LAUGHTERHOUSE Philharmonic Hall
"We've had such a wonderful response to previous events and we really want to keep the ball rolling," said co-organiser Christopher Rees.
'Welsh Woody Guthrie' returns home; PREVIEW: Martyn Joseph, Peter Bruntnell, Julia Harris - All Saints' Church, Penarth
Starbucks plans to keep the ball rolling by looking for ways to continue to distinguish itself from competitors.
Starbucks To Open At Least 3,000 Stores Over Next Five Years, China To Get 1,500 Stores By 2015
"The NSL can play its part and here at TN we are confident we can keep the ball rolling."
TN's league campaign set for a Super start
But Gunter said: "It's nice to carry on our winning run and keep the ball rolling because for the middle part of the game we were quite poor.
Gunter pleased that 'poor' Wales were still able to record win
Australia, fresh from an unbeaten home summer against West Indies and Pakistan, are keen to keep the ball rolling on the tour.
Kiwis will bounce back in Christchurch Twenty 20 against Aussies: Franklin
Michael Lipman has urged Bath to "keep the ball rolling" as they close in on a possible domestic and European double.
Lipman stokes fires as Bath set eyes on double
As a result, a mere 3lb rise in the weights does not look enough to stop What Katie Did when he bids to keep the ball rolling in the insurancejobs.co.uk Handicap at Kempton.
Lady Pilot set to fly home
King, whose big hope for the week is Windross in Saturday's Hennessy, is looking to NO TALE TO TELL (2.20) to keep the ball rolling at Ludlow tomorrow.
Racing: Majestic ready for chase debut
The reigning champions are looking genuine contenders for the trophy again this year and will aim to keep the ball rolling during the course of a home double-header in the next 48 hours against Leicestershire Foxes tonight and Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday.
Young guns are firing Bears in T20 title defence; Emerging stars impress Bell
When the season ends we will get focused again and keep the ball rolling.
Wales squad put holidays on hold
northampton v GlouCester Bt sport 1, 3.15pm sCarlets v munster s4C, 6.30pm leinster v GlasGow BBC alba, 8.30pm MUNSTER and Leinster look to have the Pro12 semi-final berths sewn up already and both are odds-on to keep the ball rolling tonight, writes Graham Woods.
Munster boast pack power to edge victory
"We've had such an incredible response to previous events and we really want to keep the ball rolling," said co-organiser Christopher Rees.
Fernhill's Julie to gig with Songwriters; PREVIEW: Julie Murphy, Jonathan Powell & Sion Russell Jones, All Saints Church Hall, Victoria Square, Penarth
Despite Kath's death just over two years ago, Pete has pledged to keep the ball rolling. He said: "I cannot believe that we have reached our silver anniversary."
Charity game nets PS300,000
McMahon's horses are in fine fettle - a point illustrated by Winning Express' promising second in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket - and this youngster can keep the ball rolling.
No secret about park claims