The phrasal verb "roll in" is primarily used in informal speech, particularly in conversational contexts. It often conveys the idea of a large quantity or amount arriving or becoming available, as in "the money began to roll in," implying a significant and steady inflow. It can also describe entries or people arriving in a casual, sometimes unexpected manner, for example, "the guests started to roll in after 7 PM." Its informal nature makes it popular in spoken language as well as in casual writing, such as blogs or personal narratives. "Roll in" carries a sense of ease and lack of urgency, often implying that something is occurring or appearing without fanfare or substantial effort. It provides a vivid, visual metaphor of waves or other rolling motions, adding a dynamic quality to the expression.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To arrive in large quantities or numbers, often unexpectedly.
The donations started to roll in after the charity event was announced.
Once the business opened, customers began to roll in.
2. To accumulate or increase steadily.
With the new advertising campaign, profits are expected to roll in.
As autumn progresses, the fog continues to roll in every morning.