roll-up

[ rohl-uhp ]

noun

1. Also rollup. something, as a carpet or window shade, that can be rolled up when not in use.
2. Informal. an increase, as in value or cost.

roll up

verb

1. to form or cause to form a cylindrical shape
2. tr to wrap (an object) round on itself or on an axis

   to roll up a map

3. informal.
   intr to arrive, esp in a vehicle
4. intr to proceed or develop
5. intr to assemble; congregate

noun

1. informal.
   a cigarette made by hand from loose tobacco and cigarette paper
2. (in the 19th century) a mass meeting of workers on an issue of common concern
3. archaic.
   the attendance at any fixture

   they had a good roll-up

Word History and Origins

Origin of roll-up¹

First recorded in 1745–55; noun use of verb phrase roll up

Example Sentences

Furst’s property, which he dubbed Furstwurld, has grown to include a series of buildings including one with a stage, lighting, sound system and seating, plus a roll-up door that opens to the outside.

From Los Angeles Times

Last summer, folks went gaga over ice-cream-and-Fruit-Roll-Ups, a sugary hack that entails tightly wrapping an unrolled Fruit Roll-Up around a generous scoop of vanilla or fruit flavored ice cream and eating it sandwich-style.

From Salon

A balcony is going up, roll-up doors are going in and landscaping around a drainage area is commencing.

From Seattle Times

He travels around the countryside in his open-toed sandals, whatever the weather, with his backpack and a supply of roll-up cigarettes.

From BBC

When officers arrived, Sanchez said, they noticed that the rear glass door was shattered and they heard the suspect attempting to open a metal roll-up door from the inside.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bandage
• bind
• bundle
• cloak
• clothe
• cover
• drape
• encase
• enclose
• fold
• hide
• immerse
• pack
• sheathe
• shroud
• swaddle
• swathe

More About Roll-up

What does roll-up mean?

A roll-up is something that can be easily rolled into a cylinder, such as a rug or a window shade.

Informally, a roll-up is also an increase, such as with a roll-up cost.

Roll-up can also be spelled rollup.

Roll up means to wrap an object around itself or on an axis, as with a map.

Informally, roll up can also mean to arrive, especially in a vehicle.

Example: Roll up that blanket and throw it in the picnic basket.

Where does roll-up come from?

The first records of the term roll-up come from around 1739. It comes from the verb phrase roll up, which dates to at least 1425. Roll-up most often refers to something that can be rolled up.

You might be familiar with Fruit Roll-Ups, a snack food that is literally rolled up. And you might have had pinwheel sandwiches, which are soft tortillas that are rolled up with yummy fillings, like peanut butter and banana or meats and cheeses. These, too, are sometimes called roll-ups. In British slang a roll-up is a hand-rolled cigarette. (We prefer the sandwich type of roll-ups.)

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to roll-up?

• rollup (alternative spelling)

What are some synonyms for roll-up?

• increase

What are some words that share a root or word element with roll-up? 

• roll
• up

What are some words that often get used in discussing roll-up?

• car
• rug
• window blind
• window shade
• fillings
• tortillas

How is roll-up used in real life?

Roll up is a common verb that literally means to roll something up. Although the noun roll-up is less commonly used, it’s often used to refer to something that can be rolled up, like those yummy sandwiches.

Source with direct knowledge of the investigation, "This is a slow and methodical roll-up. They are letting them bury themselves."

— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) June 8, 2020

Roll up & get paid.

— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) December 22, 2015

Until some zombies roll up, I’m straight.

— Koe Wetzel (@KoeWetzel) March 13, 2020

 

 

Try using roll-up!

Is roll-up used correctly in the following sentence?

The blinds on that window are roll-ups so I can look outside quickly.