rough out

verb

1. See rough
2. engineering to machine (a workpiece, such as a casting or forging) with heavy cuts leaving a rough surface to be finished

Idioms and Phrases

Also, rough in . Prepare or indicate in unfinished form, as in He roughed out several plans for a merger , or They roughed in where the doors would go without checking with the architect . [Second half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

The robots can slice through stone and rough out vast blocks of stone while the artisans are sleeping.

From The Daily Beast

She would take a large canvas, and would rough out upon it that very oval down on which she now looked.

From Project Gutenberg

It did blow during the night; it must have been rough out in the Channel; then the wind dropped to a light breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, it has always been rather rough out this way—lumbermen and the like always puttin' up at Dobson's.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, I want you to notice that its kind of rough out on the lake, and as it stands were taking big chances of being swamped.

From Project Gutenberg

I rough out my thoughts in talk as an artist models in clay.

From Project Gutenberg