rough-and-tumble
adjective
characterized by violent, random, disorderly action and struggles.
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rough-and-tumble
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rough and tumble
rough and tumbleDisorderly scuffling or infighting, as in She had some reservations about entering the rough and tumble of local politics. This expression originated in the late 1700s in boxing, where it referred to a fight without rules. [Mid-1800s]
rough-and-tumble
American
[ruhf-uhn-tuhm-buhl]
/ ˈrʌf ənˈtʌm bəl /
adjective
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characterized by violent, random, disorderly action and struggles.
a rough-and-tumble fight; He led an adventuresome, rough-and-tumble life.
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given to such action.
noun
rough-and-tumble
British
noun
adjective
rough and tumble
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of rough-and-tumble
First recorded in 1785–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Fireflies at dusk, flitting around outdoor gatherings as cousins trade jokes with a friendly, rough-and-tumble edge.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026
If EVs are coming for the world, this is the rough-and-tumble frontier.
From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026
This may work in some of the rough-and-tumble scraps of urban politics, but it’s hardly the approach of someone who wants to unite a city as important as New York.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025
Indeed, the Maddens found a certain frisson from the get-go in writing about their rough-and-tumble upbringing with a squeaky-clean pop flair.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2025
She is rough-and-tumble but doesn't think twice about lending anyone a hand.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
I got a crash course on Angeleno aesthetics and the ins and outs of the rough and tumble San Fernando Valley hurly-burly.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
His first Emmy came for directing "Taxi," a groundbreaking comedy starring Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza, about the rough and tumble staff of a New York City taxicab company.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Jenrick told me he and Farage's previous barbs against each other were just "rough and tumble".
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026
That also meant Lithgow joined Bridges in taking on a performance that’s more physically rough and tumble than most actors in their 70s take on.
From Salon ● Sep. 25, 2024
He roared into battle, and in the bellowing thumping rough and tumble that followed, one sleeping giant after another either got stepped upon or kicked.
From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
