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rough up

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rough someone up

to beat someone up; to maltreat someone. Am I going to have to rough you up, or will you cooperate? The crooks roughed up the old lady before taking her purse.

See also: rough, up

rough something up

to scrape or rub something in a way that makes it rough. All you have to do is rough the ground up, sow the seeds, and then water them. Rough up the surface a little before you paint it.

See also: rough, up

rough somebody up

also rough up somebody

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.

See also: rough, up

rough up

Manhandle, subject to physical abuse, as in The gang was about to rough him up when the police arrived. [First half of 1900s]

See also: rough, up

rough up

v.

1. To cause something to become less smooth: Rough the wood up so that the glue will hold better. The ice skates roughed up the surface of the ice.

2. To treat someone roughly or with physical violence; manhandle someone: The bully roughed up one of the kids on the playground. They threatened to rough me up if I didn't give them the money.

See also: rough, up