rough him up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough him up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe physically assaulting or intimidating someone, often in a confrontational context. Example: "The gang decided to rough him up as a warning to stay away from their territory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Some oppo research could rough him up a bit, but not enough to kill his chances.

The New York Times

"Every centre-back who has tried [to rough him up] has failed".

The Guardian - Sport

He proved it would take more than a couple of scabrous blows to rough him up by claiming Phillip Hughes as his first victim.

Independent

John Carew was very similar but Christian is 22. "Some defenders try to rough him up but everyone who has tried it has failed".

Independent

The initial directive was not to kill him but to rough him up, possibly in the same way that Cheema had been dealt with.

The New Yorker

"The officers did not shoot him, they did not rough him up, and that took a lot of discipline," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"We roughed him up pretty good," said Carlos Hollis, one of Mason's older brothers.

The New York Times - Sports

They roughed him up and frisked him and walked him, handcuffed, across the trading floor.

The New York Times

The mayor said that the officer, Terry Browning, roughed him up while taking him into custody.

The New York Times

BLUE JAYS 7, TIGERS 2 Justin Verlander struggled again as Toronto roughed him up at Detroit.

The New York Times

I thought you roughed him up the least of the witnesses.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rough him up" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate, though not necessarily severely damaging, physical intimidation or confrontation.

Common error

Avoid using "rough him up" in formal or professional writing where more precise and less colloquial language is appropriate; consider alternatives like "physically assault" or "use force against".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rough him up" is a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable expression in written English. It typically functions as the main verb in a clause, describing the action of physically assaulting or intimidating someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

11%

Sports

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough him up" is a phrasal verb meaning to physically assault or intimidate someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While common in news, sports, and general conversation, it is generally considered informal and less appropriate for formal or professional contexts. Alternative phrases like "beat him up" or "physically assault him" may be more suitable in certain situations. Be mindful of the register and context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beat him up

Focuses more directly on physical violence and inflicting harm.

give him a beating

Similar to "beat him up" but emphasizes the act of administering a beating.

physically assault him

A more formal and direct way to describe a physical attack.

attack him physically

Focuses on the aggressive initiation of physical violence.

manhandle him

Implies a less violent, more physical handling or pushing around.

use force against him

A broader term that covers various degrees of physical coercion.

push him around

Implies a demeaning and controlling form of physical interaction.

bully him physically

Highlights the element of intimidation and abuse of power.

give him a hard time

A more general expression indicating unpleasant treatment, not necessarily physical.

roughhouse with him

Suggests a playful or less serious physical interaction, though it can still imply a lack of care for the other person's well-being.

FAQs

What does "rough him up" mean?

The phrase "rough him up" means to physically assault or intimidate someone, usually as a warning or punishment.

What can I say instead of "rough him up"?

You can use alternatives like "beat him up", "manhandle him", or "give him a beating" depending on the context.

Is "rough him up" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "rough him up" is considered informal. In formal writing, use more precise terms like "physically assault" or "use force against him".

What is the difference between "rough him up" and "roughhouse with him"?

"Rough him up" implies deliberate physical intimidation or assault, whereas "roughhouse with him" suggests a more playful or less serious physical interaction. The intention behind each phrase is very different.