adjective phrase🎓 English idiom
rough and tumble
physically tough, chaotic, or disorderly
What it means
Rough and tumble describes something energetic, physical, and a bit disorderly — like horseplay among kids, a contact sport, or the messy realities of competitive fields like politics. It carries no real malice but suggests bumps and bruises are part of the deal.
Words like “rough and tumble” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.
Examples
- He grew up with three brothers, so he's used to a bit of rough and tumble.
- The rough and tumble of campaign season can wear anyone down.
- The puppies love a good rough and tumble in the back yard.
- She thrived in the rough and tumble world of investment banking.
Where it comes from
An English phrase from the early 1800s describing disorderly fighting where no formal rules applied; later extended to any boisterous, unrestrained activity.
Related idioms
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