(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
When something ~s or when you ~ it, it moves along a surface, turning over many times.
The ball ~ed into the net...
I ~ed a ball across the carpet...
VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep
2.
If you ~ somewhere, you move on a surface while lying down, turning your body over and over, so that you are sometimes on your back, sometimes on your side, and sometimes on your front.
When I was a little kid I ~ed down a hill and broke my leg...
VERB: V prep/adv
3.
When vehicles ~ along, they move along slowly.
The lorry quietly ~ed forward.
VERB: V prep/adv
4.
If a machine ~s, it is operating.
He slipped and fell on an airplane gangway as the cameras ~ed...
VERB: V
5.
If drops of liquid ~ down a surface, they move quickly down it.
She looked at Ginny and tears ~ed down her cheeks.
VERB: V down n
6.
If you ~ something flexible into a cylinder or a ball, you form it into a cylinder or a ball by wrapping it several times around itself or by shaping it between your hands.
He took off his sweater, ~ed it into a pillow and lay down on the grass...
He ~ed and lit another cigarette.
VERB: V n into n, V n
•
Roll up means the same as ~ .
Stein ~ed up the paper bag with the money inside.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)
7.
A ~ of paper, plastic, cloth, or wire is a long piece of it that has been wrapped many times around itself or around a tube.
The photographers had already shot a dozen ~s of film.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
see also toilet ~
8.
If you ~ up something such as a car window or a blind, you cause it to move upwards by turning a handle. If you ~ it down, you cause it to move downwards by turning a handle.
In mid-afternoon, shopkeepers began to ~ down their shutters...
VERB: V n with adv
9.
If you ~ your eyes or if your eyes ~, they move round and upwards. People sometimes ~ their eyes when they are frightened, bored, or annoyed. (WRITTEN)
People may ~ their eyes and talk about overprotective, interfering grandmothers...
His eyes ~ed and he sobbed.
VERB: V n, V
10.
A ~ is a small piece of bread that is round or long and is made to be eaten by one person. Rolls can be eaten plain, with butter, or with a filling.
He spread butter on a ~.
N-COUNT
11.
A ~ of drums is a long, low, fairly loud sound made by drums.
As the town clock struck two, they heard the ~ of drums.
N-COUNT
see also drum ~
12.
A ~ is an official list of people’s names.
...the electoral ~.
= register
N-COUNT: with supp
13.
see also ~ing , rock and ~ , sausage ~
14.
If someone is on a ~, they are having great success which seems likely to continue. (INFORMAL)
I made a name for myself and I was on a ~, I couldn’t see anything going wrong.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
15.
If you say ~ on something, you mean that you would like it to come soon, because you are looking forward to it. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Roll on the day someone develops an effective vaccine against malaria.
PHRASE: PHR n feelings
16.
If something is several things ~ed into one, it combines the main features or qualities of those things.
This is our kitchen, sitting and dining room all ~ed into one.
PHRASE: pl-n PHR, v-link PHR
17.
to start the ball ~ing: see ball
heads will ~: see head