live rough

live rough

To be homeless and thus be forced to live and sleep outside. The government's aim is to have the number of people living rough halved in five years' time. I lived rough for a couple of years after my house was repossessed. It's not something I would wish on anyone.
See also: live, rough
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

live rough

live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home.
See also: live, rough
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

live/sleep ˈrough

live or sleep outside in the streets because you have no home or money: Hundreds of people are sleeping rough on the streets of the city.
See also: live, rough, sleep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • live/sleep rough
  • a rough ride
  • rough in
  • rough stuff
  • (as) rough as rawhide
  • a rough patch
  • in round figures
  • in round figures/numbers
  • rough
  • have a rough time (of it)
References in periodicals archive
Judge Cross said: "I find it very difficult to understand why someone who has expressed the desire to go back to his home country, and not to live rough on the streets of this city centre, could not be supported as much as is humanly possible."
"To live rough is to feel like you don't exist," said Ross, who tried sleeping on the streets, in a tent and at an emergency shelter.
What dignity does a 72-yearold man have, who has been forced to live rough having been evicted by a private landlord when his 12-month tenancy agreement ended?
What dignity does a 72 year old man have, who has been forced to live rough having been evicted by a private landlord when his 12-month tenancy agreement ended?
ose who live rough, on park benches and without a roof over their heads do so through no fault of the Keresley people.
Seeing Mick forced to live rough in a bin shed in the shadow of the Olympic Park it's easy to see why being sent back inside isn't
He had told his family he was heading north to live rough off the land, like TV survival expert Bear Grylls.
Halesowen's Santa Tramps was set up in July to honour brothers Mick and Bob, who choose to live rough in the British town.
The 51-year-old, who also uses the names Daniel O'Connell and Sean O'Connell, is known to live rough and travel in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Many of the participants are former drug addicts or they used to live rough on the streets.
He had been in a scuffle with people who are known to live rough in the area at around 9pm on Sunday.
People who live rough are offered a bed for the night, a proper meal,and friendship.
I WAS shocked to learn through the media recently that a 72-year-old man has been forced to live rough in this weather, having been evicted from his privately-rented home, when his 12-month tenancy agreement ended.
He told The Morning Show with Sybil and Martin on TV3 yesterday that he was forced to live rough because he could not apply for rent support.
It has also emerged that homeless McGrath had been allowed to live rough on the streets of the Midlands after registering his address as a public bench.