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rub in meaning and examples

2025-09-28

Meaning

The phrasal verb "rub in" has two main meanings:

  1. To apply a substance by rubbing it onto a surface or skin. Example: She rubbed in the lotion after her shower.

  2. To keep reminding someone of something unpleasant or embarrassing, often in a way that makes them feel worse. Example: You don’t have to rub in the fact that I failed the exam.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Phrasal verb

  • Verb type: Transitive (requires an object)

  • Structures:

    • rub in + noun (when applying a substance)
    • rub it in (idiomatic, when emphasizing someone’s mistake or failure)

Common Phrases

  • rub in cream/lotion/ointment
  • rub salt in the wound (idiom meaning to make a bad situation worse)
  • rub it in (teasing or making someone feel worse)

Collocations

  • rub in cream
  • rub in lotion
  • rub in ointment
  • rub in failure/mistake (idiomatic, teasing)

Examples

  1. She rubbed in some sunscreen before going to the beach.
  2. Make sure to rub in the ointment thoroughly.
  3. Don’t rub it in—I know I made a mistake!
  4. He loves to rub it in whenever his team wins.
  5. Stop rubbing in the fact that you got promoted.
  6. Rub in the oil until the surface looks shiny.
  7. They rubbed salt in the wound by laughing at his failure.
  • (apply meaning): spread, massage in, smear, apply
  • (teasing meaning): taunt, gloat, tease, mock

Antonym

  • (apply meaning): wash off, wipe off
  • (teasing meaning): comfort, reassure, encourage