Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a street-fight, a violent fracas; also in fig. use (see cit. 1914).

1889		Referee 26 Jan. n.p.: It may be remembered that only a few weeks ago, in a similar rough up with the gloves to that under notice [F&H].
1900		Sporting Times 24 Mar. 2/4: Another forebear had a rough-up with the original worm of Wantley, and did not come off second best.
1909		A. Wright A Rogue’s Luck (1931) 162: I can’t ’ave no rough-ups ’ere, y’know; give th’ place er bad name.
1914		Bulletin (Sydney) 16 July 40/1: The Liberal outlook in Queensland is umpty. The P.P.L. has been battling to secure candidates to carry Joe Cook’s tattered banner in the impending rough-up, but there is a decided dearth of candidates.
1919		E. Dyson ‘Weepin’ Willie’ in ‘Hello, Soldier!’ 49: There was nothin’ sweet for Willie in a rough-up in the wet.
1924		(con. WWI) A.G. Pretty Gloss. Sl. [...] in the A.I.F. 1921–1924 (rev. t/s) n.p.: rough up. A brawl; horseplay.
1950		(con. 1936–46) K.S. Prichard Winged Seeds (1984) 26: There’d have been a rough-up in no time.
1962		(con. WWII) J.O. Killens And Then We Heard The Thunder (1964) 426: If they come here looking for a rough up, we’ll give ’em a bloody go!

2. an aggressive or violent person.

1914		E. Dyson Spats’ Fact’ry (1922) 32: That lad ’appens t’ be Bricky Smith, once a garroter [...] He’s just about the ugliest rough-up in six States.
1919		V. Marshall World of Living Dead (1969) 129: ‘A dead rough-up’ — thus the more scientific of the fraternity designate him.
1924		(con. WWI) A.G. Pretty Gloss. Sl. [...] in the A.I.F. 1921–1924 (rev. t/s) n.p.: rough up. [...] An unmannerly, violent or irresponsibile [sic] person.