American Idioms – Idiom Wizard Lists Over 5,500 Idioms & Slang Descriptions

Rough-up

DEFINITION

Hurt. Physically abuse someone as a warning or for vengeance. You can rough up an opponent in an athletic competition, you can rough up a section of dirt to get a better foothold and you can rough up your hair to get a wild look.  (Compare to Rough and tumble.)

“It takes a mean and rough fellow to rough up someone.”

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