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Learn more English in a Minute
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(Clips: Getty)
Introduction
You might already know one meaning of 'roll' – to move by rotating. But do you know these four other meanings? Get to know the word 'roll' with Phil!
4 meanings of 'roll'
where your photos are stored
Your camera roll refers to the place on your camera, or phone, where your photos are stored.
- I've got the most incredible camera roll after my holiday. Look at all these pictures!
- My mum still has one of those old cameras that uses film – she takes the camera rolls to the chemists to be developed.
round piece of bread
A roll is a small piece of bread which you can put fillings into to make a snack.
- I only had a cheese roll for lunch. I'm starving now.
- Do you have any rolls? I'd like to make some snacks for the car journey.
start something
You can use the verb 'roll' when you want to say you are starting to do something, or beginning a journey.
- Is that the time? OK. Let's roll – we don't want to be late.
- I think we should get rolling with the invitations to our wedding – otherwise everyone will be busy!
series of successes
Being 'on a roll' means that you are having a series of successes.
- Another answer right! You're on a roll today.
- Our football team has won the last five games in a row – we're on a roll!
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Download a free transcript!
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TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Phil
You know the word 'roll', right? It means this... but that's not the whole story. Let's learn four more meanings. The place where your photos have stored on your phone – that's your camera roll.
Example
I've got the most incredible camera roll after my holiday. Look at all these pictures!
Phil
You can also eat them. A roll is a small, round piece of bread that you can put things in.
Example
I only had a cheese roll for lunch. I'm starving now.
Phil
'Roll' can mean to start doing things or start a journey.
Example
Is that the time? OK. Let's roll – we don't want to be late.
Phil
If you keep getting things right, you can be on a roll. Here, 'roll' means a sequence of successes.
Example
Another answer right! You're on a roll today.
Phil
Learn these four meanings of 'roll' today.
Next
Learn more idiomatic language in The English We Speak.
Find our latest programmes here.
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