rough-and-tumble

[ ruhf-uh n-tuhm-buh l ]

/ ˈrʌf ənˈtʌm bəl /

characterized by violent, random, disorderly action and struggles: a rough-and-tumble fight; He led an adventuresome, rough-and-tumble life.

given to such action.

rough and unrestrained competition, fighting, struggling, etc.

Origin of rough-and-tumble

First recorded in 1785–95

His youngest son, Orange Scott, was a rough-and-tumble trickster and a terrible tease.

Those Kansas City Blues: A Family History |Katie Baker |October 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Mandelbaum began her climb to the top of the crime world as a peddler on the rough-and-tumble, bustling streets of New York City.

Meet 'The Queen of Thieves' Marm Mandelbaum, New York City's First Mob Boss |J. North Conway |September 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In that rough-and-tumble era, wire cages surrounded many basketball courts to protect spectators from the players, and visa versa.

Secret History of the First Dunk |Evin Demirel |February 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For many fans, her hardscrabble youth and rough-and-tumble style were viewed as endearing strengths.

ESPN’s ‘The Price of Gold’ Revisits the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Scandal |Amy Zimmerman |January 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

While at the Tribune, Axelrod rose to city hall bureau chief, covering the rough-and-tumble politics of the Windy City.

From Rick Stengel to David Axelrod, All of the President’s Journalists |Ben Jacobs |September 13, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Id hate to meet any one of you in a rough-and-tumble fight, he said.

The Radio Boys on Secret Service Duty |Gerald Breckenridge
It isn't a bad game for a chap that can ride and track, and likes a bit of rough-and-tumble now and then.'

Robbery Under Arms |Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood
This Bandy Walker was a gunman and a rough-and-tumble fighter.

The Fighting Edge |William MacLeod Raine
Maybe it was more practical than rough-and-tumble individualism.

The Planet Strappers |Raymond Zinke Gallun
If they did make an assault, we had bayonets, and they had not, and we could sell our lives very dearly in a rough-and-tumble.

The Defence of Duffer's Drift |Ernest Dunlop Swinton

rough-and-tumble

a fight or scuffle without rules

characterized by roughness, disorderliness, and disregard for rules or conventions