rough out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To make a quick first version of something, without worrying about details yet.
Literal meaning: To bring something out in rough form — relatively transparent.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To create a rough draft or preliminary version of a plan, design, or document.
"Let me rough out a budget for the project and we can refine the figures later."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral
In art or sculpture: to shape a material into a basic, undetailed form before fine work begins.
"The sculptor roughed out the figure in clay before carving the final version in marble."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Commonly used in creative, design, and planning contexts. Implies that the output is intentionally incomplete and will be refined later. Often used with 'idea', 'plan', 'design', 'sketch'.
Commonly used with
plan design idea sketch proposal schedule
Forms
Base
rough out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
roughs out
he/she/it
Past simple
roughed out
yesterday
Past participle
roughed out
have + pp
-ing form
roughing out
continuous
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