Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Characterized by roughness and disregard for order or rules.
- noun A condition marked by rough disorderly struggle; infighting.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
active ,vigorous andrough , with the possibility ofharm - adjective highly
competitive - noun
Rough activity; fights - noun An environment of rough activity
- noun A person who characteristically engages in such activity
- verb Engage in rough-and-tumble activity
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective characterized by disorderly action and disregard for rules
- noun disorderly fighting
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The new mayor, who takes office May 16, will inherit a budget deficit of at least $500 million, a city government long characterized by rough-and-tumble politics and a shrinking and increasingly Hispanic population.
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Women owned and operated a large percentage of American taverns before and during the Revolution, especially in the rough-and-tumble port cities.
A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010
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Our new governor likes to strike the pose of a perpetual political amateur -- as a microbrewer first, politico second or maybe third, who's still really getting his bearings in the cold, hard world of rough-and-tumble politics.
Sean Paige: Is Hickenlooper a Reliable Ally? Sean Paige 2011
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And a rough-and-tumble Democratic primary could prove beneficial.
Bysiewicz to run for Senate as Dems prepare for another pitched primary Aaron Blake 2011
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It also underscores Stevens' staying power on the political scene spanning from the rough-and-tumble days when Alaska was a territory to his days as one of the nation's most powerful senators.
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Our new governor likes to strike the pose of a perpetual political amateur -- as a microbrewer first, politico second or maybe third, who's still really getting his bearings in the cold, hard world of rough-and-tumble politics.
Sean Paige: Is Hickenlooper a Reliable Ally? Sean Paige 2011
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But wishful thinking has its limitations, especially in this rough-and-tumble neighborhood.
David Harris: Israel, the 'Arab Spring,' and the Wishful Thinkers David Harris 2012
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While they do have increased healing abilities to cope with their rough-and-tumble lifestyle, wolves are as vulnerable as any creature.
How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011
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NASCAR pledged the 2010 season would be aimed at placating its hard-core supporters with rough-and-tumble racing, but the recession still ...
Motor Sports News: Professional & Fantasy Schedules, Standings & Stats 2010
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Just as much of a character in person as Radar was on the screen, Shaffer, a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, was not shy about sharing the wisdom of his 80 years in an interview with CNN, and engaging in the rough-and-tumble of present-day Washington politics.
Obama meets real-life inspiration for M.A.S.H character 2010
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