What are the definitions of “rough up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Assault.
The mugger ROUGHED him UP when he refused to hand his wallet over.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “rough up”?
The phrasal verb rough up is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is physically attacked or assaulted. It often implies that the person was handled in a rough or violent manner.
What are the different verb forms of “rough up”?
| Root Verb | rough up |
| Third Person Singular Present | roughs up |
| Present Participle | roughing up |
| Simple Past | roughed up |
| Past Participle | roughed up |
Example
The bullies threatened to rough up the new kid.
Example
He roughs up anyone who disagrees with him.
Example
The gang is roughing up a poor man in the alley.
Example
The police roughed up the suspect during the arrest.
Example
The victim was roughed up by the mugger.
What kind of phrasal verb is “rough up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“rough up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The gang roughed up the shopkeeper.
Example
The police roughed the suspect up during the interrogation.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“rough up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The gang roughed up the shopkeeper.
Example
The police roughed the suspect up during the interrogation.
Good things to know
Does “rough up” have an informal or formal tone?
Rough up is a colloquial phrase, which means it is used in informal language. It is not typically used in formal or professional settings. Instead, words like 'assault' or 'attack' would be used.
