rough it
rough it — idiom
1. to live temporarily without modern amenities such as electricity, running water,
to live temporarily without modern amenities such as electricity, running water, or proper furnishings, typically during a trip or outdoor activity
Gabriel and his friends roughed it in a tiny cabin without electricity during their hiking trip.
rough it + in [place] without [amenity]
During summer camp the children roughed it in tents with no running water for a whole week.
The film crew roughed it on a remote island for three weeks while shooting the nature documentary.
Ritu and her cousins roughed it in a backyard tent with no electricity during the summer holidays.
- live in comfort
opposite end of the amenity spectrum
文法句型
rough + it + in/at [place]
用法筆記
Usually appears in past tense when describing a completed experience. The place is typically specified with 'in', 'at', or 'on'.
常見錯誤
2. to endure harsh and uncomfortable living conditions as part of a demanding exper
to endure harsh and uncomfortable living conditions as part of a demanding experience, a personal challenge, or an unavoidable situation, often for an extended period
Zola roughed it during her military training, sleeping on the ground and eating cold meals every day.
The soldiers roughed it in the jungle with very limited food and medical supplies.
rough it + in [harsh environment] with [limited resources]
When the storm wrecked their house, the Watanabe family roughed it at a shelter for two months.
Iker roughed it through the winter in an unheated flat while saving money for a better place.
- make do without
implies managing without specific things, while 'rough it' is about the overall living standard
- go without
less common and suggests a shorter period of deprivation
- live in luxury
opposite end of the comfort spectrum
文法句型
rough + it + during/through [experience]
用法筆記
Can describe both voluntary hardship (adventure, training) and involuntary hardship (disaster, poverty). The context makes the distinction clear.