The phrase "rough going" describes a difficult or challenging situation. In terms of its spelling, "rough" is pronounced /rʌf/ with the "o" being pronounced as "uh". Meanwhile, "going" is pronounced /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/, with a long "o" sound in the first syllable and an "i" in the second syllable. Put together, the phrase has a similar pronunciation to "ruff go-ing". Despite the potentially confusing spelling, this idiom is commonly used in English to convey a sense of struggle or hardship.
Rough going, also known as rough terrain or difficult conditions, refers to a situation or setting that is not easily navigable, challenging, or physically demanding. This term is used metaphorically to describe any difficult or arduous circumstances, whether it pertains to physical obstacles or challenges faced in other aspects of life.
In the literal sense, rough going usually implies traversing an uneven or treacherous terrain, such as rugged mountains, rocky landscapes, or dense forests. It suggests that progress or movement in such conditions can be slow, tedious, and demanding, requiring extra effort, caution, and endurance. The phrase can be used in various contexts, such as hiking, mountaineering, off-road driving, or any outdoor activity that involves confronting challenging landscapes.
Figuratively, rough going is used to describe any challenging situation that presents obstacles, barriers, or hardships, making progress or achievement more difficult. It can apply to personal or professional circumstances, academic pursuits, financial hardships, or any endeavor where the path to success is fraught with difficulties or setbacks. In these contexts, rough going conveys the notion that the journey or process towards a goal will require persistence, resilience, and the ability to overcome hurdles.
Overall, rough going describes a challenging and demanding experience, whether physical or metaphorical, where one has to navigate through obstacles and difficult conditions in order to make progress or achieve a desired outcome.
The etymology of the phrase "rough going" can be broken down as follows:
1. Rough: The word "rough", derived from Middle English "rugh" or "roughe", can be traced back to Old English "ruh" or "ruw". It originally meant "coarse" or "rugged", and eventually developed to mean "difficult" or "uneven".
2. Going: The term "going" in this context refers to the act of progressing or moving forward. It comes from the Old English word "gān", which means "to go" or "to walk".
Combining these two elements creates the phrase "rough going", which figuratively portrays an experience or situation as challenging, difficult, or uneven.