verb
rolls; rolled; rolling
to move across the ground or another surface by turning over and over [no obj]
to turn over one or more times [no obj]
to move smoothly on wheels [no obj]
[no obj] :to move in a smooth, continuous way
[+ obj] to form (something) into the shape of a ball or tube
to put (something) inside a tube
to wrap up (something or someone) in a way that forms the shape of a tube
to form your body into a ball - usually + up; [no obj]
[+ obj] to make (something) smooth, even, or flat with a special tool (called a roller or rolling pin)
to spread (something) on a surface with a special tool (called a roller)
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] :to move forward along the normal course of time
[no obj] :to move or lean from side to side
[no obj]
to make a deep, continuous sound
to make a continuous, quick, beating sound
to operate (something, such as a movie camera) [+ obj]
[no obj] :to have a series of successes
to cause (your eyes) to look up toward the sky in an expression which shows that you think someone or something is foolish or annoying [+ obj]
get rolling
informal
to leave
to start doing something
get/set/start the ball rolling
heads roll
keep the ball rolling
let's roll
chiefly US informal - used to tell another person or a group of people to start leaving a place or to start doing something
ready to roll
informal
ready to leave
ready to start doing something
roll around
also Brit roll about
[phrasal verb] informal :to arrive or happen again
roll back
[phrasal verb]
roll back (something) or roll (something) back chiefly US
to reduce (something, such as a price)
to change (something) back to the way it was at an earlier time :to reverse or undo (something)
roll down
[phrasal verb]
roll down (something) or roll (something) down
to move (something) down especially by turning a handle
to unfold the edge of (something, such as a shirt sleeve or pants leg) to make it longer
rolled into one
combined together into one thing or person
roll in
[phrasal verb] informal
be rolling in (something) :to have a large amount of (something)
to appear or arrive in large numbers or amounts
to arrive at a place especially later than usual or expected
rolling in the aisles
roll off the tongue
roll on
Brit informal - used to say that you want a time or event to come quickly
roll out
[phrasal verb]
roll out (something) or roll (something) out
to offer or sell (something) for the first time
to make (something that has been rolled into the shape of a tube) long and flat again
roll out of bed
informal :to rise after sleeping in a bed and especially after sleeping later than usual
roll out the red carpet
see red carpet
roll over
[phrasal verb]
informal :to allow yourself to be easily defeated or controlled :to make no effort to fight or compete
roll over (something) or roll (something) over
to delay the payment of (something, such as a debt)
to place (invested money) in a new investment of the same kind
roll the dice
roll up
[phrasal verb]
roll up (something) or roll (something) up
to move (something) up especially by turning a handle
to fold up the ends of (something, such as a shirt sleeve or pants leg) to make it shorter
informal :to arrive at a place in a vehicle
Brit - used to invite people to gather around to see a show or to buy things
roll up your sleeves
informal :to prepare to work hard
roll with the punches
informal :to not allow yourself to become upset by things that happen
roll your r's
to pronounce the sound /r/ with a trill
noun
plural rolls
[count] a long piece of cloth, paper, film, tape, etc., that is rolled to form the shape of a tube or ring
a paper tube that holds candies, coins, etc., inside
a small loaf of bread for one person to eat
a sandwich made with a bread roll
a usually round sweet cake
a food that is rolled up for cooking or serving
a thick fold of fat, skin, etc.
an official list of names
noun
plural rolls
[count] a sound that is produced by a series of quick hits on a drum
a deep, continuous sound
an act of rolling something
chiefly US :a movement in which your body makes a complete turn forward or backward on the ground
the act of moving or leaning from side to side
a movement of an airplane in which the airplane is turned upside down and then right side up again - compare 2roll - see also rock and roll
a roll in the hay
informal + old-fashioned :an act of having sex with someone
a roll of the dice
on a roll
informal :experiencing a series of successes
US