rough someone up

Related to word: rough

Phrasal Verb

Definition

  1. to physically assault someone by hitting and kicking, often to intimidate or threaten.

    • In the corner, a group of thugs roughly roughed him up, leaving him too frightened to speak.

    • The police suspect that the victim of this case was roughed up before being kidnapped.

    • He was attacked in the bathroom, as several men roughed him up badly.