Is 'rub out' formal or informal?

For its primary meaning (to erase a mark), it is informal. In formal writing, prefer 'erase', 'delete', or 'remove'. The slang meaning (to kill) is highly informal/vulgar.

Can I separate 'rub' and 'out'?

Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'rub out the mistake' or 'rub the mistake out'. If the object is a pronoun, it must go in the middle: 'rub it out'.

Is the 'kill' meaning common?

No, it is low-frequency slang, primarily found in American crime fiction, films, or historical contexts. It would sound odd or overly dramatic in everyday conversation about a real event.

What's the best synonym for everyday use?

For physical marks, 'erase' is the closest direct synonym. For digital or abstract removal, 'delete' or 'remove' are better.

rub out

UK/ˌrʌb ˈaʊt/US/ˌrəb ˈaʊt/

Informal for 'erase'; Slang/Vulgar for the 'kill' meaning.

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Definition

Meaning

To remove marks (especially pencil or ink marks) by rubbing with an eraser or similar object.

To erase, delete, or obliterate something. In informal, chiefly American slang, it can also mean to murder or kill someone.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The primary meaning is neutral and practical (erasing). The secondary, metaphorical meaning (to kill) is highly informal, carries strong negative connotations, and is characteristic of crime/detective genres. Avoid using the secondary meaning in formal or neutral contexts.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The 'erase' meaning is common in both varieties. The slang meaning 'to kill' is almost exclusively American, originating from underworld/crime slang and popularized in detective fiction/film.

Connotations

In the UK, the word almost always connotes simple erasure. In the US, while the erasure meaning is primary, the 'kill' meaning adds a layer of potential ambiguity in certain contexts, giving it a harder, more violent edge.

Frequency

As a phrasal verb for 'erase', it's moderately common. The slang 'kill' meaning is low-frequency and restricted to specific genres or contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

rub out mistakesrub out pencil marksrub out the evidencerub out the lines

medium

rub out completelyrub out easilytry to rub out

weak

rub out a drawingrub out the wordsrub out the error

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject] rubs out [Object][Subject] rubs [Object] out

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

expungeeffaceeradicatewipe out

Neutral

erasedeleteremoveobliterate

Weak

clean offscrub out

Vocabulary

Antonyms

write inaddinsertpreservecreate

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Rub out one's mistakes (literal)”
“Rub out the competition (metaphorical, aggressive business)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare; might be used metaphorically (e.g., 'rub out the deficit').

Academic

Very rare; 'erase' or 'delete' are preferred.

Everyday

Common for talking about erasing pencil/charcoal marks, especially with children or in art contexts.

Technical

Not used in technical computing ('delete' is standard). May appear in forensic contexts (rubbing out fingerprints/evidence).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

Use a soft cloth to rub out the scuff marks.
The child tried to rub out the wrong answer.
This ink won't rub out easily.

American English

Just rub out that note and write a new one.
In the old gangster movie, the boss ordered a snitch to be rubbed out.
The artist rubbed out the preliminary sketches.

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

American English

Examples

By CEFR Level

I made a mistake. Can I rub it out?
The teacher said to rub out the old work.

The pencil drawing was light, so it rubbed out completely.
You'll need a special cleaner to rub out that stain.

Historical revisionists often try to rub out the inconvenient parts of the past.
The detective discovered the killer's plan to rub out the witness.

The regime's propaganda aimed to rub out all memory of the dissident movement.
He used a chemical agent to meticulously rub out any forensic traces.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a RUBber (eraser) used to rub OUT a pencil mark.

Conceptual Metaphor

REMOVAL IS PHYSICAL ERASURE (core); ENDING LIFE IS ERASING A PERSON (slang).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Не переводить буквально как 'тереть снаружи'.
Сленговое значение 'убить' легко спутать с нейтральным 'стереть'. Контекст решает всё.
В большинстве случаев соответствует русским 'стереть (ластиком)', 'удалить'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'rub out' in formal writing instead of 'erase'.
Using the slang 'kill' meaning in inappropriate contexts, causing offence or confusion.
Incorrect particle order: 'He rubbed the mistake out' (correct) vs. 'He rubbed out the mistake' (also correct).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The old map was so faded that the town's name had been completely .

Multiple Choice

In which context is 'rub out' LEAST appropriate?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: For its primary meaning (to erase a mark), it is informal. In formal writing, prefer 'erase', 'delete', or 'remove'. The slang meaning (to kill) is highly informal/vulgar.
: Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'rub out the mistake' or 'rub the mistake out'. If the object is a pronoun, it must go in the middle: 'rub it out'.
: No, it is low-frequency slang, primarily found in American crime fiction, films, or historical contexts. It would sound odd or overly dramatic in everyday conversation about a real event.
: For physical marks, 'erase' is the closest direct synonym. For digital or abstract removal, 'delete' or 'remove' are better.