heads will roll

heads will roll

People will be punished severely. Used hyperbolically. Heads will roll if there are any errors in the pamphlets we printed for this networking event.

See also: head, roll, will

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

heads will roll

Fig. people will get into severe trouble. When the company's year-end results are known, heads will roll. Heads will roll when the principal sees the damaged classroom.

See also: head, roll, will

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

heads will roll

Someone will be severely punished, as in If no one meets the chairman's plane, heads will roll. This hyperbolic expression alludes to the punishment of being beheaded.

See also: head, roll, will

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

heads will roll

mainly BRITISH

COMMON If you say that heads will roll, you mean that someone will be punished, usually by losing their job or position. A big studio is said to be involved, and it is predicted that heads will soon roll there. Note: People also say, for example, that heads should roll or heads ought to roll. The widely-held view is that heads should roll over the losses. Note: In the past, people in important positions were sometimes beheaded if they were considered responsible for a mistake or problem.

See also: head, roll, will

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

heads will roll

there will be some people dismissed or disgraced.

1975 Sam Selvon Moses Ascending It appears he went back for reinforcements, and is returning to make some drastic changes in the administration of the Establishment. Heads will roll, they say.

See also: head, roll, will

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌheads will ˈroll (for something)

(spoken, usually humorous) used to say that some people will be punished because of something that has happened: Have you seen this article about police corruption? Heads will roll, I’m sure. ♢ When the spy scandal was exposed, many said that heads should roll in the government.This comes from the idea that when people were punished by having their heads cut off, the heads rolled along the ground.

See also: head, roll, will

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

heads will roll

in. someone will be punished. When I find out who did this, heads will roll.

See also: head, roll, will

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.