live/sleep rough

live rough

To be homeless and thus be forced to live and sleep outside. The government's aim is to have the number of people living rough halved in five years' time. I lived rough for a couple of years after my house was repossessed. It's not something I would wish on anyone.

See also: live, rough

sleep rough

To sleep outside at night, usually because one has no home or shelter. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The government's aim is to have the number of people sleeping rough halved in five years' time. I slept rough for a couple of years after my house was repossessed. It's not something I would wish on anyone.

See also: rough, sleep

sleep rough

BRITISH

When people sleep rough, they sleep out of doors, usually because they have no home. It makes me so sad when I see young people begging or sleeping rough on the streets. Note: You can also say that someone lives rough. He looked like he'd been living rough for the last few days.

See also: rough, sleep

live rough

live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home.

See also: live, rough

sleep rough

sleep in uncomfortable conditions, usually out of doors. British

See also: rough, sleep

live/sleep ˈrough

live or sleep outside in the streets because you have no home or money: Hundreds of people are sleeping rough on the streets of the city.

See also: live, rough, sleep