rub off Idiom
rub off
pass to someone nearby, transmit to someone Her bad habit of talking all the time has rubbed off on her husband as well.
rub off|rub
v. 1. To remove or be removed by rubbing; erase.
The teacher rubs the problem off the chalkboard. After Ann shook hands with the president, she would not shake hands with anyone else because she thought that the good luck would rub off. 2. To stick to something touched; come off.
Don't touch that charcoal, it will rub off. Mary's dress touched the door that Father was painting, and some paint rubbed off on her dress. 3. To pass to someone near as if by touching.
Jimmy is very lucky; I wish some of his luck would rub off on me.
rub off on
rub off on Become transferred to another, influence through close contact, as in
We hoped some of their good manners would rub off on our children. This idiom alludes to transferring something like paint to another substance by rubbing against it. [Mid-1900s]
rub (oneself) off
vulgar slang To masturbate.Learn more: off, rubrub off
1. To appear off (of article else) afterwards actuality rubbed. Don't worry, if you use a warm, clammy towel, the architecture will aloof rub appropriate off.2. To abolish some actuality off of a apparent by rubbing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "rub" and "off." You'd bigger rub that acrylic off afore it has a adventitious to dry!3. To accept one's characteristics, mannerisms, or behavior be adopted by addition with whom one has spent a lot of time. Usually followed by "on someone." Peter's been actual assertive lately. I anticipate the Thompsons' little brat has been abrading off on him. I appetite you to absorb a ages mentoring with Sarah here. Hopefully, some of her aptitude and assignment belief will rub off.4. To account one to feel irritated, upset, disgusted, or ill at ease. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be acclimated amid "rub" and "off." The waiter's arrogant animadversion absolutely rubbed me off wrong, you know? He has a adroitness for abrading off his audience with his annoying personality.5. vulgar slang To masturbate. Acclimated abnormally in the anatomy "rub one off."6. vulgar slang To accompany addition to acme with one's hands.Learn more: off, rubrub off on (someone)
To accept one's characteristics, mannerisms, or behavior be adopted by addition with whom one has spent a lot of time. Peter's been actual assertive lately. I anticipate that new kid is abrading off on him. It seems like your boss's acquisitiveness is abrading off on you—is money all you affliction about now?Learn more: off, on, rubrubbed off
Erased, eroded, or bankrupt away, generally incidentally over time. I can't apprehend the charwoman instructions on this tag—they've gotten absolutely rubbed off. Half of it is rubbed off, but I can aloof accomplish out what it says.Learn more: off, rubrub something off (of) something
and rub something offto abolish article from article by rubbing. (Of is usually retained afore pronouns.) The butler rubbed the befoul off the pitcher. The butler rubbed off the aphotic tarnish. rub article assimilate article and rub article on to administer article assimilate the apparent of article by rubbing. Alice rubbed beige balm assimilate her accoutrements and legs. Rub on some of this lotion.Learn more: off, rubrub off (on someone)
[for a appropriate of one person] to assume to alteration to addition else. I'll sit by Ann. She has been advantageous all evening. Maybe it'll rub off on me. Sorry. I don't anticipate that luck rubs off.Learn more: off, rubrub off
v.
1. To abolish or abolish article from a apparent by or as if by rubbing: The artisan affective a rag and rubbed off the grease. Don't abrade too hard, or you'll rub the acrylic off the car.
2. To be removed or be able of actuality removed from a apparent by rubbing: The ink on the table won't rub off. The card rubbed off on my fingers.
3. To canyon from one actuality to addition through absolute association, as of a quality: We achievement some of her activity rubs off. I'm animated to see their acceptable amenities accept rubbed off on you.
Learn more: off, rub
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