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ALL meanings of rub down

rub down
R r
  • verb with object rub down to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing: to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area. 1
  • verb with object rub down to move (something) back and forth or with a rotary motion, as against or along another surface: to rub the cloth over the glass pane. 1
  • verb with object rub down to spread or apply (something) with pressure and friction over something else or a person: to rub lotion on her chapped hands. 1
  • verb with object rub down to move (two things) with pressure and friction over or back and forth over each other (often followed by together): He rubbed his hands together. 1
  • verb with object rub down to mark, polish, force, move, etc. (something) by pressure and friction (often followed by over, in, or into). 1
  • verb with object rub down to remove by pressure and friction; erase (often followed by off or out). 1
  • verb without object rub down to exert pressure and friction on something. 1
  • verb without object rub down to move with pressure against something. 1
  • verb without object rub down to admit of being rubbed in a specified manner: Chalk rubs off easily. 1
  • verb without object rub down Chiefly British. to proceed, continue in a course, or keep going with effort or difficulty (usually followed by on, along, or through): He manages to rub along. 1
  • noun rub down an act or instance of rubbing: an alcohol rub. 1
  • noun rub down something that annoys or irritates one's feelings, as a sharp criticism, a sarcastic remark, or the like: to resent rubs concerning one's character. 1
  • noun rub down an annoying experience or circumstance. 1
  • noun rub down an obstacle, impediment, or difficulty: We'd like to travel, but the rub is that we have no money. 1
  • noun rub down a rough or abraded area caused by rubbing. 1
  • idioms rub down rub it in, Informal. to emphasize or reiterate something unpleasant in order to tease or annoy: The situation was embarrassing enough without having you rub it in. 1
  • idioms rub down rub salt in / into someone's wounds. salt1 (def 23). 1
  • idioms rub down rub the wrong way, to irritate; offend; annoy: a manner that seemed to rub everyone the wrong way. 1
  • idioms rub down rub up, British Informal. to refresh one's memory of (a subject, language, etc.). 1
  • phrasal verb rub down If you rub down a rough surface, you make it smooth by rubbing it with something such as sandpaper. 0
  • phrasal verb rub down If you rub someone down, you dry them or massage them with something such as a towel or cloth. 0
  • verb rub down to dry or clean (a horse, athlete, oneself, etc) vigorously, esp after exercise 0
  • verb rub down to make or become smooth by rubbing 0
  • verb rub down to prepare (a surface) for painting by rubbing it with sandpaper 0
  • noun rub down the act of rubbing down 0
  • noun rub down to massage 0
  • noun rub down to smooth, polish, wear down, etc. by rubbing 0
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