Roughen Up

What Does "Roughen Up" Mean?

"Roughen up" is an English idiom. It means "to make something less smooth or refine, typically by adding texture, unevenness, or imperfections."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "roughen up" used in a sentence:

• The artist used a special technique to roughen up the surface of the canvas, giving the painting a unique texture.
• The carpenter roughened up the wood with sandpaper to create a rustic and weathered appearance for the furniture.
• In pottery, artists sometimes intentionally roughen up the clay to achieve a more natural and Earthy finish.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Roughen Up" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

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