2026 Launch (and similar expressions)

Vocabulary in Use: Launch, Kick off, Get the ball rolling

This is the exciting launch or start of my teaching website, January 2026 which makes me think a little about words and expressions for starting things. "Launch" comes from the first time a new boat hits the water or a rocket leaves the earth. It is the beginning of a big thing. You can see why it is used for websites, products and companies. And, you can use it as a noun as I did, or a verb. For example, "We launched a new product this month."

Well, what are some similar expressions? You can probably name a few already. I like "kick off", coming from sports like soccer or football. What happens at the beginning of the game? A player kicks the ball to start the play. So, you can kick off a new project or maybe an advertising campaign.

Another that came up in business class recently was to get the ball rolling. Remember from physics class you studied how things are hard to get moving but once moving, they stay moving? Well, that is the idea here. A meeting or discussion might be a little hard to start with everyone chatting or feeling shy about speaking. Well, when you call everyone to attention or get the conversation started by giving your opinion, you are, "getting the ball rolling": doing the hard first step. So, at a meeting, you could say to your manager, " Why don't you get the ball rolling and give us your report for this month."

Study Advice:

There are a lot of expressions that mean to start something. How many can you remember? Write them in your notes, say them out loud, and use each one in a sentence. Reserach shows that the act of trying to remember something makes that memory stronger. It is an excellent exercise and should be part of your learning routine.

Well, whether you are launching a website, kicking off a new financial year, or getting the ball rolling on a big project for 2026, I wish you all the best!

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