rough around the edges

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Lacking polish or refinement in manners or style, though often basically good or talented.

   Grammar: Follows a linking verb such as be or seem: he is rough around the edges.

   Patterns

   • be rough around the edges

   The new coach is a bit rough around the edges, but the players respect him.

   She was rough around the edges when she joined the firm, yet she learned quickly.

   He may be rough around the edges, but he has a kind heart.

2. 2phraseidiom

   Not yet finished or well designed, with small flaws that still need fixing.

   Grammar: Used about things, not people: the software is rough around the edges.

   Patterns

   • something is rough around the edges

   The first version of the app was rough around the edges.

   The film is rough around the edges, though the story is strong.

Common combinations

a bit rough around the edges

The restaurant is a bit rough around the edges but the food is superb.

still rough around the edges

The prototype is still rough around the edges.

a little rough around the edges

He seemed a little rough around the edges at the interview.

rough around the edges but

The team is rough around the edges but full of promise.

Synonyms and how they differ

unpolished

Unpolished is a single adjective with a similar meaning and sounds slightly more formal than the idiom.

unrefined

Unrefined stresses a lack of good manners or taste, whereas the idiom often suggests hidden quality too.

raw

Raw suggests untrained talent, while rough around the edges can describe someone already experienced but blunt.

Opposites

Word family

rough adjective

Not smooth or gentle, and the base word of the idiom.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rough around the edges”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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