in the rough
idiom
chiefly US
: in an unfinished or rough state
He admired the beauty of nature in the rough.
Some of the turquoise is polished and some is in the rough.
Examples of in the rough in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But their boats are often met with tragedy, as many become stranded or capsize in the rough seas, prompting rescue from the Italian Coast Guard.
—
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Many who took the survey saw Goldberg-Polin as too moral to get involved in the rough and tumble world of Israel’s fractious political scene.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
The synopsis: Dolly: An Original Musical takes us on a journey through the life of this rhinestone in the rough, from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Schauffele’s teammate, Patrick Cantlay, hit a wayward tee shot as well that left Schauffele in the rough.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the rough
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Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Many who took the survey saw Goldberg-Polin as too moral to get involved in the rough and tumble world of Israel’s fractious political scene.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
The synopsis: Dolly: An Original Musical takes us on a journey through the life of this rhinestone in the rough, from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Schauffele’s teammate, Patrick Cantlay, hit a wayward tee shot as well that left Schauffele in the rough.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the rough
Cite this Entry
“In the rough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20rough. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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