rub off

The idiom 'rub off' is often used to describe how qualities or characteristics can be transferred from one person to another through close association or contact.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To transfer qualities, habits, or characteristics from one person to another through close interaction.

Example

  • Her positive attitude is starting to rub off on everyone around her.

B1General

(neutral)To remove something by applying friction.

Example

  • You can rub off the stain with a damp cloth.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "rub off":

rubbing offrub outrub inwipe offrub upwear offbrush offcome offrub downrub up againstslip offshrug offthrow offpass offride offpull offroll offrack offfob offshake offbear offdust offwork offrake offrub up onpeel offburn offflick offbrush asidetake offbuff outcome off itbrush upclear offrun offblow offget offslide offwash awayfall offpush offgoof offbrush outtear offscratch outscrub outwalk offrip offcross offbump offleave offdrive offrough uptouch offpolish offnick offdraw offlook offgive off