rough around the edges
Not quite finished
Rough around the edges describes someone or something that lacks polish or refinement but has underlying merit or potential.
A person who is rough around the edges may be socially awkward, blunt, or unpolished in manner without being fundamentally flawed: He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's got a good heart.
The phrase also applies to creative work or plans that need more development: The script is still rough around the edges.
- incompleteLacking necessary parts
- unfinishedNot yet complete
- work in progressIncomplete ongoing effort
- first draftEarliest written version
- tactlessInsensitive in manner
crude · imperfect · undeveloped · uncouth · brusque · homespun · no frills · ungraceful · prototype · unrefined · unseasoned · rudimentary · gruff · awkward · inexperienced · brash · unpolished · flawed
- appearance idiomsall dolled up, dolled up, done up, dressed to kill, dressed to the nines
rough around the edgespolished
Smooth, refined, accomplished
refined · sleek · smooth · finished · sophisticated
rough, roughly, roughness, roughen, rougher, roughest, around, edges, edgier