Rough-and-tumble

adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Active, vigorous and rough, with the possibility of harm.

    "An assistant about the theatre grappled him, and they were soon upon the floor engaged in a regular rough-and-tumble fight."

  2. 2
    Highly competitive.

    "She found fame and success in the rough-and-tumble garment district."

Adjective
  1. 1
    characterized by disorderly action and disregard for rules wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    Rough activity; fighting or brawling; a fight.

    ""You played Rugger for Ireland, did you not? You don't mind a possible rough-and-tumble, do you?" Malone grinned over the receiver."

  2. 2
    disorderly fighting wordnet
  3. 3
    An environment of rough activity.
  4. 4
    A person who characteristically engages in such activity.

    "This will appear a very tedious process to some of our rough-and-tumbles."

Verb
  1. 1
    To engage in rough-and-tumble activity. intransitive

    "But, for all that, our British experience of electioneering "rough-and-tumbling'" has long blunted the edge of our moral anger."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From rough + and + tumble.

Etymology 2

From rough + and + tumble.

Etymology 3

From rough + and + tumble.

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