rub down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Dry or massage by rubbing firmly
Why “down”? The hand moves down along a surface. It presses, fixes, wipes, or checks it closely.
“She rubbed the dog down with a towel.”
“He rubbed the horse down after the ride.”
Don't confuse with
Rub down means dry or massage by rubbing firmly. Rub in means apply a substance to a surface by rubbing.
Test yourself
“She rubbed the dog down with a towel.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
rub in
A contrast learners often mix up
Rub a substance until the surface absorbs it
hammer down
Same down pattern: surface work
Fix something firmly into place with a hammer
hose down
Same down pattern: surface work
Wash something by spraying it with a hose
pat down
Same down pattern: surface work
Search someone by feeling over their clothes
smooth down
Same down pattern: surface work
Make a surface flat by stroking it
stick down
Same down pattern: surface work
Attach something to a surface with glue or tape
wipe down
Same down pattern: surface work
Clean a surface with a damp cloth
rub off
Same base verb: rub
Remove by friction
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