rough (redirected from roughs up)

a bit of rough (British, humorous)

someone, usually a man, from a lower social class than their sexual partner. Jenny's chatting up the barman again. She likes a bit of rough.

See also: bit

a bumpy/rough ride

a difficult time. Government plans to cut sick pay had a rough ride in the House of Commons. The construction industry is in for a bumpy ride next year.

See also: ride

cut up rough (British, old-fashioned)

to become very angry. Dad cut up rough about me staying out all night. (often + about)

See also: cut

give someone a rough time

to treat someone severely or to cause difficulties for them. The boss gives me a rough time if I make any mistakes.

See also: give, time

give someone the rough side of your tongue (British & Australian, old-fashioned)

to speak angrily to someone. The boss gave me the rough side of her tongue for being late twice this week.

See also: give, side, tongue

have a rough time (of it)

give someone a rough time - to treat someone severely or to cause difficulties for them. She's had a rough time of it in prison.

See also: time

if the going gets rough/tough

when the going gets rough/tough - when a situation becomes difficult or unpleasant. I'm spending Christmas with my family, but if the going gets tough I might escape back to London.

See also: going, tough

rough and ready

1. if you do something in a rough and ready way, you do it quickly and without preparing it carefully. I've done a rough and ready translation of the instructions. I hope it's clear enough.

2. not very polite or well educated. Just a warning about the men who work for him, they're a bit rough and ready.

See also: ready

the rough and tumble of something

the part of an activity that involves fighting or competing. He enjoys the rough and tumble of politics.

See also: tumble

a rough diamond (British & Australian, American & Australian)

a person who does not seem very polite or well educated at first, although they have a good character. Mitchell may have been a rough diamond, but he was absolutely loyal to his employer.

See also: diamond

rough edges

1. if a piece of work or a performance has rough edges, some parts of it are not of very good quality. He's a great footballer, but his game still has a few rough edges.

2. if a person has rough edges, they do not always behave well and politely. I knew him before he was successful, and he had a lot of rough edges back then.

See also: edge

rough it

to live in a way that is simple and not very comfortable. They prefer to rough it on their travels, and sleep in the car or take a tent.

rough justice

a punishment that is not fair or is too severe. New evidence suggests that the girls were given rough justice.

See also: justice

rough trade (very informal)

men who have sex with other men for money and who look as if they come from a low social class. He went to the docks to pick up a bit of rough trade.

See also: trade

rough-and-tumble

the rough and tumble of something - the part of an activity that involves fighting or competing. He is used to life in the rough-and-tumble airline industry. (always before noun)

take the rough with the smooth (British & Australian)

to accept the unpleasant parts of a situation as well as the pleasant parts. You have to be prepared to take the rough with the smooth in marriage.

See also: smooth, take

when the going gets rough/tough

when a situation becomes difficult or unpleasant. I run the farm on my own, but a local boy helps me out when the going gets tough.

See also: going, tough

---

a diamond in the rough

someone or something whose good qualities are hidden. This film is one of those diamonds in the rough, a wonderful gem that almost no one has noticed.

Etymology: based on the idea that you cannot see the beauty of a diamond (= jewel) when it is rough (= not yet cut and filled with brightness)

See also: diamond

in the rough

in a situation that is not comfortable or pleasant. I do not enjoy a camping vacation in the rough. Our new representative has had a hard time in the rough of Washington politics.

rough something in

to begin the first work on something. First the plumber roughed in the drain pipe and water pipes. Make a sketch, rough it in, and then add the details.

rough it

to live in a way that is simple and not very comfortable. They prefer roughing it on their travels, taking a tent rather than using hotels.

rough something out

1. to make a first plan for an activity. Tyler started to rough out a list of schools she might want to attend.

2. to create something in its approximate, but not finished, form. We watched as a carver began to work on the block of stone, roughing the sculpture out.

rough someone up

to attack someone physically but without causing serious injury. He was only thirteen the first time gang members roughed him up. It is reported that police officers roughed up several protesters.