rough it

Idioms  

1. Do without the usual comforts and conveniences, as in We spent our vacation roughing it in a log cabin. This idiom was first recorded in 1768. Mark Twain used it as the title of an account of his experiences in Nevada (Roughing It, 1872).

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Example Sentences

If anything, I’ve tried to rough it up because I know I sound smooth, and I always wanted to be more like Ray Charles.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2024

While that includes people sleeping rough, it also includes people such as those who:

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2023

While the city cleared at least one of those large camps, some people have decided to rough it outside this winter instead of seeking shelter.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

“It was rough, it was burned out, a shell of what it used to be 20 to 30 years prior,” said Adam Rinn, who grew up in the area and is Mr. Zigun’s designated successor.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2022

A few wayward strands dangle near his eyes. so Hair’s my favorite thing to draw, but I only rough it in.

From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord