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'.
(..) So they made me anchor So, great Right? Except I'm no good at what I'm being a success at How are you at back rubs? It's normal, the way you feel In graduate school, everyone thought the admissions committee (..)1987 Broadcast News