rub down

rub  (rb)

v. rubbed, rub·bing, rubs

v.tr.

1. To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).

2. To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.

3. To apply to a surface firmly and with friction: rub lotion on the hands; rub dye into the fabric.

4. To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly: rub an eraser over the blackboard; rubbed my fingers over the sore spot.

5. To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.

6. To remove, erase, or expunge: rub away a stain; rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

v.intr.

1.

a. To exert pressure or friction on something.

b. To wear or chafe with friction: My shoes were beginning to rub.

c. To cause irritation or annoyance.

2. To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.

3. To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity: newsprint that rubbed off on my fingers; wished some of her luck would rub off on me.

n.

1. The act of rubbing.

2. The application of friction and pressure: a back rub.

3. A substance or preparation applied by rubbing, especially:

a. A liniment or balm.

b. A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.

4. An unevenness on a surface.

5. An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.

6. A difficulty or obstacle: "The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland" (William J. Broad).

Phrasal Verbs:

rub down

To perform a brisk rubbing of the body, as in massage.

rub in

To harp on (an unpleasant matter).

rub out

1. To obliterate by or as if by rubbing.

2. Slang To kill; murder.

Idioms:

rub elbows/shoulders

To mix or socialize closely: diplomats rubbing elbows with heads of state.

rub (one's) hands

To experience or display pleased anticipation, self-satisfaction, or glee.

rub (someone's) nose in Slang

To bring repeatedly and forcefully to another's attention.

rub (someone) the wrong way

To annoy; irritate: "One can see . . . how [his] expression of his ideals and intentions must have rubbed many people the wrong way" (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt).

rub up on

To refresh one's knowledge of: I have to rub up on my French.

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[Middle English rubben.]

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rub down

vb (adverb)

1. to dry or clean (a horse, athlete, oneself, etc.) vigorously, esp after exercise

2. to make or become smooth by rubbing

3. (tr) to prepare (a surface) for painting by rubbing it with sandpaper

n rubdown

1. the act of rubbing down

2. the Hong Kong term for dressing-down

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	rub down - wear away                             abrade, abrase, corrade, rub off excoriate, chafe - tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading; "This leash chafes the dog's neck" wear away, wear off - diminish, as by friction; "Erosion wore away the surface" rasp - scrape with a rasp
	2.	rub down - manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes; "She rubbed down her child with a sponge" massage, knead manipulate - hold something in one's hands and move it

Translations

? rub down

vt sep horse (= dry) → abreiben; (= clean) → striegeln; person → abrubbeln (inf), → abfrottieren; wall, paintwork (= clean) → abwaschen; (= sandpaper) → abschmirgeln