rough-and-tumble

[ ruhf-uh n-tuhm-buh l ]

/ ˈrʌf ənˈtʌm bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rough-and-tumble ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by violent, random, disorderly action and struggles: a rough-and-tumble fight; He led an adventuresome, rough-and-tumble life.

given to such action.

noun

rough and unrestrained competition, fighting, struggling, etc.

Nearby words

rough spin, rough stuff, rough trade, rough up, rough-and-ready, rough-and-tumble, rough-cut, rough-dry, rough-hew, rough-hewn, rough-house

Origin of rough-and-tumble

First recorded in 1785–95

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rough-and-tumble

His youngest son, Orange Scott, was a rough-and-tumble trickster and a terrible tease.
Those Kansas City Blues: A Family History|Katie Baker|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mandelbaum began her climb to the top of the crime world as a peddler on the rough-and-tumble, bustling streets of New York City.
Meet 'The Queen of Thieves' Marm Mandelbaum, New York City's First Mob Boss|J. North Conway|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In that rough-and-tumble era, wire cages surrounded many basketball courts to protect spectators from the players, and visa versa.
Secret History of the First Dunk|Evin Demirel|February 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For many fans, her hardscrabble youth and rough-and-tumble style were viewed as endearing strengths.
ESPN’s ‘The Price of Gold’ Revisits the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Scandal|Amy Zimmerman|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

While at the Tribune, Axelrod rose to city hall bureau chief, covering the rough-and-tumble politics of the Windy City.
From Rick Stengel to David Axelrod, All of the President’s Journalists|Ben Jacobs|September 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Id hate to meet any one of you in a rough-and-tumble fight, he said.
The Radio Boys on Secret Service Duty|Gerald Breckenridge
It isn't a bad game for a chap that can ride and track, and likes a bit of rough-and-tumble now and then.'
Robbery Under Arms|Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood
This Bandy Walker was a gunman and a rough-and-tumble fighter.
The Fighting Edge|William MacLeod Raine
Maybe it was more practical than rough-and-tumble individualism.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
If they did make an assault, we had bayonets, and they had not, and we could sell our lives very dearly in a rough-and-tumble.
The Defence of Duffer's Drift|Ernest Dunlop Swinton

British Dictionary definitions for rough-and-tumble

rough-and-tumble

noun

a fight or scuffle without rules

adjective

characterized by roughness, disorderliness, and disregard for rules or conventions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rough-and-tumble

adjective

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of rough-and-tumble

Examples from the Web for rough-and-tumble

British Dictionary definitions for rough-and-tumble

rough-and-tumble

noun

adjective