rub

B1 · Intermediate

v. to put a cream, oil, or liquid onto a surface by pressing and moving your hand.

v. to apply a substance to a surface through the use of pressure and circular or linear motion.

“You should rub some sun cream on your shoulders before going outside.”

“The woodworker carefully rubbed a layer of beeswax into the mahogany table to bring out the natural grain of the timber.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the action of moving your hand or a cloth over something.

n. an instance of applying friction or pressure to a surface.

“Give the table a quick rub with this cloth to get the dust off.”

“A vigorous rub with a dry towel is often enough to restore the shine to slightly tarnished silverware.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary

n. a problem or a tricky part of a situation.

n. a central difficulty or obstacle in a situation; famously used in the idiomatic phrase 'there's the rub'.

“The plan sounds perfect, but here is the rub: we have no money.”

“The proposal offers a sustainable solution to the energy crisis, but the rub lies in the massive initial investment required from taxpayers.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a mixture of spices that you press into meat before cooking it.

n. a dry or wet mixture of seasonings applied to the surface of raw food, especially meat, before grilling or roasting.

“He prepared a spicy rub for the chicken before putting it on the barbecue.”

“The chef applied a coffee-based dry rub to the brisket, allowing the flavours to penetrate the meat for several hours before smoking it.”