Phrasal Verbs

rough up

This page is about the phrasal verb 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

a. sudoku

b. karate

c. karaoke
a) sudoku b) karate c) karaoke

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey