Phrase guide

heads will roll

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

Some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • If this project isn't completed on time, heads will roll.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the imagery of a head rolling on the ground when a person is decapitated as punishment for a crime.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 人頭落地 /人头落地 (réntóu luòdì) — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • Finnish: päitä putoilee — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • French: des têtes vont tomber — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • Hungarian: fejek fognak hullani — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • Italian: cadranno delle teste — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • Polish: polecą głowy — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance
  • Russian: полетят головы (poletjat golovy) — some people will be fired for incompetence or malfeasance