live/sleep 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
sleep rough
To sleep outside at night, usually because one has no home or shelter. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The government's aim is to have the number of people sleeping rough halved in five years' time. I slept rough for a couple of years after my house was repossessed. It's not something I would wish on anyone.
See also: rough, sleep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
sleep rough
BRITISHWhen people sleep rough, they sleep out of doors, usually because they have no home. It makes me so sad when I see young people begging or sleeping rough on the streets. Note: You can also say that someone lives rough. He looked like he'd been living rough for the last few days.
See also: rough, sleep
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
live rough
live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home.See also: live, rough
sleep rough
sleep in uncomfortable conditions, usually out of doors. BritishSee also: rough, sleep
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
- live 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