roughen up
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To make something feel scratchy or bumpy instead of smooth.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To make a surface physically coarser or more abrasive, often to improve grip or adhesion.
"You should roughen up the wall with sandpaper before applying the plaster."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To make something appear less polished or more rugged in style or character.
"The director asked the actor to roughen up his appearance for the role of a homeless man."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Primarily used in practical or technical contexts — painting, craft, construction — where a rough surface is needed for adhesion or grip. Less common as a standalone phrasal verb; speakers often say 'roughen' alone.
Commonly used with
surface texture edges wood skin paint
Forms
Base
roughen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
roughens up
he/she/it
Past simple
roughened up
yesterday
Past participle
roughened up
have + pp
-ing form
roughening up
continuous
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