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Thread: what means "rough around the edges"?

  1. #1
    pipelette is offline Newbie
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    Default what means "rough around the edges"?

    the dictionary says: "If someone is rough around the edges, they haven't mastered something, though they show promise."

    But I have heart this expression in other contexts:

    1. if s.o. does not feel well, a bit frayed maybe, for example because of a hang over

    2. if s.o. is not very sophisticated, distinguished, but unpolished and without manners

    Which is the right meaning? And/Or are there difficulties in AE and BE?

  2. #2
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: what means "rough around the edges"?

    In BrE, it could mean either depending on the context.
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  3. #3
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    BobK is offline Harmless drudge
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    Default Re: what means "rough around the edges"?

    A related idiom is 'a rough diamond' - s.o. of great value but not a master of diplomacy!

    b
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