PhrasesHub

Heads will roll

    Definitions

      • consequences for failure
        Warn of severe repercussions for mistakes or failure

      • blame or punishment
        Indicate that someone will be held accountable for a problem or failure

    Examples of Heads will roll

    • The CEO announced that there will be major changes in the company, and heads will roll if the employees don't adapt to the new structure.

      This idiom is used to indicate that there will be severe consequences, like people losing their jobs, as a result of failing to meet expectations or following orders.

    • The board of directors made it clear that they will not tolerate any misconduct and warned that heads will roll if the accusations are proven to be true.

      This idiom is used to signify that there will be serious repercussions for individuals who break the rules or behave improperly, particularly in a professional setting.

    • The politician's reputation was damaged, and heads will roll during the upcoming election if his party fails to regain the public's trust.

      This idiom can also be used in political contexts to indicate that there could be negative consequences, like the loss of political power, for individuals or parties associated with someone who has lost the confidence of the people.

    • The coach has had enough of the team's poor performance, and heads will roll if they don't turn things around during the next game.

      This idiom is commonly used in sports to suggest that there could be significant changes, such as replacing key players or coaches, if a team's fortunes continue to decline.

    • The CEO made a disastrous decision that resulted in significant financial losses for the company. The board of directors has issued a statement saying, "Heads will roll until we can right the ship and make things right for our shareholders."

      In this context, "heads will roll" is a metaphorical expression used to indicate that there will be consequences for the poor decision made by the CEO. The statement "heads will roll" suggests that people will be held accountable and lose their positions in order to rectify the situation.

    • The new marketing strategy failed to deliver the expected results, and tensions between the marketing department and the management team have reached a boiling point. The VP of marketing has been called into the CEO's office, and rumors are swirling that "heads will roll" in the wake of the failed initiative.

      In this example, "heads will roll" is used to indicate that there will be significant repercussions for the failed marketing strategy, potentially including job losses in the marketing department. The use of the expression suggests that the situation is serious and that drastic action may be required to rectify the situation.

    • The project manager's team missed multiple deadlines and delivered a subpar product, forcing the company to incur additional costs and lose important clients. The project manager has been informed by the CEO that "heads will roll" as a result, and the team's members have been called in for a meeting to discuss the situation.

      In this situation, "heads will roll" is used to indicate that there will be consequences for the project manager and their team as a result of the missed deadlines and poor-quality product. The expression suggests that people may lose their jobs or face other penalties as a result of the failure.

    • The department head has been aware of serious issues in her team for months but failed to take action, allowing the problems to fester and grow worse. The CEO has informed the department head that "heads will roll" as a result, and the HR department has been notified to begin the process of replacing the department head and her team.

      In this final example, "heads will roll" is used to indicate that the department head and her team will face significant consequences as a result of their failure to address the underlying issues. The expression suggests that people will lose their jobs and that the department will be reorganized or replaced entirely.


    Conclusion

    "Heads will roll" is used to emphasize the serious consequences that will result from a mistake or failure. It can be used to warn of severe repercussions for mistakes or failure, or to indicate that someone will be held accountable for a problem or failure.

    Origin of "Heads will roll"

    The origin of the idiom "heads will roll" can be traced back to medieval times when execution by beheading was a common form of punishment. When someone in a position of power or authority made a mistake, it was common for the person responsible to be executed by having their head chopped off. The phrase "heads will roll" likely originated from this practice, as a warning of the severe consequences for failure or mistakes.

    Over time, the phrase has evolved to be used more figuratively, but it still carries the weight of serious repercussions and accountability. It is now commonly used in a business or political context to indicate that there will be severe consequences for failure or mistakes.