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Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : R : rough up

rough up Informal

Meaning: to physically attack someone, usually to intimidate or make them afraid rather than to seriously hurt them

For example:

  • rough up sb Prison guards often rough up new inmates to show them who's boss.

  • rough sb up If kids at your new school try to rough you up, tell me about it.

Quick Quiz:

In case anyone ever tries to rough him up, Billy has been learning
  1. sudoku
  2. karate
  3. karaoke

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

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