ROUGH-AND-READY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rough-and-ready mean? 

• ROUGH-AND-READY (adjective)
  The adjective ROUGH-AND-READY has 1 sense:

1. crude but effective for the purpose at hand

  Familiarity information: ROUGH-AND-READY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ROUGH-AND-READY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Crude but effective for the purpose at hand

Similar:

effective; effectual; efficacious (producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect)

 Context examples 

He was a tall man, over six feet high, and broad in proportion, and he had a bluff, rough-and-ready face, all roughened and reddened and lined in his long travels.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Laurie threw back his head, and laughed so heartily at this attack, that the felt hat fell off, and Jo walked on it, which insult only afforded him an opportunity for expatiating on the advantages of a rough-and-ready costume, as he folded up the maltreated hat, and stuffed it into his pocket.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)