rough up

verb

1. informal,  to treat violently; beat up

2. to cause (feathers, hair, etc) to stand up by rubbing against the grain

Idioms and Phrases

Manhandle, subject to physical abuse, as in The gang was about to rough him up when the police arrived. [First half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

Now, members of the opposition — duly elected Democratic politicians — are being brought to heel, arrested and roughed up.

From Salon

After one of his charges roughed up a lower-classman and Trump was nowhere to be found, he was finally removed from his post.

From Salon

May has gone at least five innings in each of his five starts, getting roughed up in only one while posting a 3.95 ERA.

From Los Angeles Times

During cross-examination, defense attorney Leonard Levine made Austin explain how he had changed his story from when he was initially taken into custody and told police that they intended only to rough up the hairstylist.

From Los Angeles Times

He also made Austin explain how he had changed his story from when he was initially taken into custody and told police that they intended only to rough up the hairstylist.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beat up 
• maltreat 
• manhandle 
• mistreat