rough stuff

noun

, Informal.

1. violence, as physical assault, torture or shooting.
2. unnecessary violence or infractions of the rules, as in sports.
3. blatant vulgarity or obscenity.

rough stuff

noun

1. informal.
   violence

Word History and Origins

Origin of rough stuff¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Positive relationships often serve as a buffer for the rough stuff in life.

From Time

But there were no beatings, no waterboarding, no rough stuff at all.

From The Daily Beast

It's good practice for the rough stuff to come, when we blast out!

From Project Gutenberg

As a matter of fact, they did it rather violently—a good deal more like movie rough stuff than the real thing.

From Project Gutenberg

I know exactly what is inside—rough stuff, bought to maintain my disguise as a vaquero, but all the better for present purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

Usually the boys who do the rough stuff in a case like this know little of what is really going on.

From Project Gutenberg

You never heard of me starting any rough stuff when there was a pinch coming off, did you?

From Project Gutenberg