# rub down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rub-down
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to clean, dry, or smooth a surface by rubbing it with a cloth or a tool.

For teachers: to clean, dry, or smooth the surface of an object or animal by applying friction. Transitive and often used in manual labor, physical therapy, or animal husbandry contexts.

## Examples

- The trainer rubs down the horse after every race.
- After the long race, the trainer spent twenty minutes rubbing down the horse to dry its coat.
- The carpenter meticulously rubbed down the oak cabinet with fine-grade sandpaper to ensure a perfectly smooth finish before applying the varnish.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I rubbed down it." but "I rubbed it down." — When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- Usually followed by a noun representing a surface, an animal, or a person's body.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'rub out' (to erase) to show how different particles change the result of the action.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.