rub up
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
To apply friction to a surface, often for cleaning, polishing, or applying a substance.
To refresh one's knowledge or skills; also, to cause irritation or friction between people (rub someone up the wrong way).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The reflexive meaning ('rub up on' knowledge) is less common than the literal and interpersonal ('rub up the wrong way') meanings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The literal meaning is used in both. 'Rub up the wrong way' (to irritate) is slightly more British. Americans might say 'rub someone the wrong way' (without 'up') more frequently.
Connotations
In BrE, 'rub up' can sound slightly old-fashioned or quaint for the literal sense.
Frequency
More frequent in British English, especially in the idiomatic expression.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[rub] + [up] + [object] (e.g., rub up the brass)[rub] + [object] + [up] (e.g., rub it up)[rub up] + [against] (e.g., rub up against the wall)[rub up] + [on] (e.g., rub up on my French)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rub someone up the wrong way”
- “rub up on something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'rubbing up' presentation skills or client relations.
Academic
Rare. Used metaphorically for reviewing knowledge.
Everyday
Common for cleaning/polishing tasks and describing interpersonal annoyance.
Technical
Used in woodworking, metalwork, and animal grooming contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll just give the silverware a quick rub up before the guests arrive.
- He has a knack for rubbing people up the wrong way.
- I must rub up on my cricket rules before the match.
American English
- You should rub some oil up on that baseball glove.
- Her attitude really rubs me up the wrong way.
- I need to rub up on my state capitals.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Rub up the table with this cloth.
- The cat rubs up against my leg.
- I rubbed up the old lamp and it shone like new.
- His rude comments rub everyone up the wrong way.
- Before the interview, she rubbed up on the company's latest projects.
- The two politicians kept rubbing up against each other during the debate.
- A good mentor can help you rub up your skills without making you feel inadequate.
- Decades of border disputes have rubbed up longstanding tensions between the two nations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine RUBbing a magic lamp to make a genie pop UP – you're polishing it to make it shine.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE POLISHED (rubbing up on a subject).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'тереть вверх'. It's an idiom.
- Confusion with 'rub it in' (упрекать).
- 'Rub up against' ≠ 'натирать против', it means physical contact or encountering.
Common Mistakes
- *I need to rub up my car. (Use 'polish' or 'clean' for large objects)
- *He rubbed up me wrongly. (Correct: He rubbed me up the wrong way.)
- Using 'rub up' without a clear object.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'He rubbed his colleagues up the wrong way' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally informal, especially in its idiomatic uses. For formal writing, prefer 'polish', 'refresh (knowledge)', or 'irritate'.
'Rub up' often implies a purposeful, thorough, or repeated action aimed at improving or affecting the surface. 'Rub' is more general.
Yes. You can say 'rub the silver up' or 'rub up the silver'. The pronoun must go in the middle: 'rub it up'.
Yes, 'rub up on (a subject)' is a correct, though slightly informal, idiom meaning to review or refresh your knowledge of something.