to heads will roll
2
8.2
- idiom
- Offensive
:
caerán cabezas
- If they don't, heads will roll.
- sure that heads will roll
Examples
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But if it turns out that there was a cover-up and the administration has been lying to the American people, heads will roll regardless of when the truth comes out.
Blog text (5) -
Management has warned that heads will roll if the deadline is missed.
-
"It is you whose head will roll."
Blog text (7) -
The correct answer is either "yes, I denied help" or "no one told me they requested help and heads will roll!"
Blog text (28) -
"Some serious privacy is going to happen here or heads will roll," he announces.
Fiction book (1995) -
If something isn't accomplished soon, heads will roll.
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I want that nincompoop inventor here within 24 hours, or another head will roll.
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Knowing this will happen, corporate chieftains will demand that compromise before February 1st or heads will roll.
Blog text (18) -
Heads will roll!
-
"Well, I don't know who put you in charge of this command tent, but if I have to give one more order twice around here, HEADS WILL ROLL."
Fiction book (1995)
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase uses 'heads' metaphorically for people in charge and 'roll' suggests being removed, so speakers who know 'head' as leader may get a general sense that leaders will be affected. However, the specific idiomatic threat of punishment or dismissal is metaphorical and not fully predictable from the literal meanings, so learners need some exposure to the idiom to grasp the exact force.
Etymology
The idiom heads will roll comes from a violent image: when people were punished by having their heads cut off, the heads would often roll. Because of that picture, the phrase is used as a warning that people 'will be punished' or 'fired'.