rough up

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.

“The skies are a little rough up here,” he remarked with a wry smile, before mentioning that people will think he’s not in good health — but it was really the turbulence causing the problem.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

Dean, during warm-up, would subtly rough up the ice in the required spot to avoid their knees, which gave far less traction than a sharpened blade, from sliding away under them.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2024

Be sure to rough up the surface about an inch or so deep with a hand fork and work an organic fertilizer into the soil before watering it well.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2023

Quarterback Justin Herbert’s high throw to Mike Williams hit the wide receiver’s hands, but Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey — one of the gnarliest corners in this N.F.L. — was on the spot to rough up Williams.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2021

He’d look at me, and he’d laugh and rough up my hair, and then he’d take off his cap and he’d put it on my head.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt