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rub

Definition

  • verb: to move something (such as your hand or an object) back and forth along the surface of (something) while pressing
  • verb: to move along the surface of a body with pressure
  • usually singular
  • synonyms: grate, graze, chafe

Examples

  • Her positive attitude 'rubbed off' on other people. [=other people began to have a positive attitude from being around her]

  • We 'rubbed' the steaks with spices before we grilled them. = We 'rubbed' spices onto the steaks before we grilled them.

  • It's bad enough that he beat me, but the way he keeps talking about it is just 'rubbing salt in the wound'.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) have claimed... ...that they only did You-Know-Who's bidding... ...under the influence of the lmperius Curse. But here's the rub: How do we sort out the liars? Another, another. Up, up. Come on. Longbottom, is it? Up. (..)
    2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire