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roll around

A2 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To roll in different directions, OR to say that a regular time (like Christmas) has come again.

Literal meaning: To roll in a circular or aimless manner — transparent for the physical sense.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To move around by rolling in different directions.

"The children rolled around on the grass, shrieking with delight."

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

(Of a recurring time, date, or event) to arrive again as part of a regular cycle.

"Every time exam season rolls around, she wishes she had started studying earlier."

"When the dog days of summer roll around, I find myself craving cold lemonade."

3 B1 idiomatic informal

To laugh so hard that one's body moves uncontrollably.

"We were rolling around laughing by the time he finished the story."

Usage notes

The temporal sense ('when summer rolls around') is extremely common in both British and American English. The laughter sense is informal and very vivid. Physical sense is common when describing animals, children, or sports (wrestling, gymnastics).

Commonly used with

floor grass time season year laughter Christmas elections

Forms

Base
roll around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rolls around
he/she/it
Past simple
rolled around
yesterday
Past participle
rolled around
have + pp
-ing form
rolling around
continuous

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