See Also: rough-and-tumble(dictionary)
rough and tumble(dictionary)
tumble(1)(dictionary)
tumble(2)(dictionary)
rumble-tumble(dictionary)
tumble dryer(dictionary)
Tumble - Skydiving(gambling)
tumble 2, noun(dictionary)
Tumble Finish - Golf(gambling)
rough(3)(dictionary)

rough-and-tumble (iou)



rough-and-tumble noun, adverb, & adjective. Orig. Boxing slang. E19.
[from ROUGH adjective + AND conjunction1 + TUMBLE noun.]
A. noun. Haphazard or random fighting; an instance of this; (a) scuffle, (a) scramble. E19.
B. Emecheta Dirty and wet from the rough and tumble of the match. transf.: M. Meyer Strindberg hated the rough-and-tumble of open debate.
b. adverb. In an irregular or disorderly manner. E19.
Z. N. Hurston Mr. Allen might have eaten by the rules but..I went at it rough-and-tumble.
C. adjective.
Disregarding the rules, irregular; haphazard; scrambling, riotous, disorderly. M19.
National Observer (US) Sandwiches are..self-contained lunches that can withstand a good deal of rough-and-tumble action.
Of a person: practising irregular methods of fighting etc.; inclined to be rough or violent. M19.