Briskly rub the body, as in a massage. For example, The trainer rubs down marathon runners, or That horse needs rubbing down. This expression was first used (and still is) for rubbing away dust and sweat from a horse. [Late 1600s]
rub down
| Idioms: rub down |
| WordNet: rub down |
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.
The verb has 2 meanings:
Meaning #1:
wear away
Synonyms: abrade, corrade, abrase, rub off
Meaning #2:
usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes
Synonyms: massage, knead
Learn More
 | rub (Idiom) |
| Praise Him (1995 Album by Sanchez) |
| abrade |
 | Are baseballs rubbed down before a game? Read answer... |
| Can you give birth when a boy is rubbing you're down below? Read answer... |
| How is rubbing alcohol used to cool things down? Read answer... |
Help us answer these
 | Can you get pregnant if both you and your boyfriend are wearing cloths but he rubs you down there? |
| Why do deer rub their antlers up and down trees? |
| Is rubbing alcohol easier to break down than water? |
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
 |
 | Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
 |
| WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more |
Related answers
- Can rubbing your body down with rubbing alcohol lead to pneumonia?
- Why does your dog keep rubbing his butt up and down on your couch?
ADVERTISEMENT
Answer these
» More
Mentioned in
- rub (Idiom)
- Praise Him (1995 Album by Sanchez)
- abrade
- The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1 (2004 Album by Los Amigos Invisibles)
- Lookout! (1996 Album by Rick "L.A. Holmes" Holstrom)
- down (Idiom)
- Fatty Fatty: 1967-1970 (1998 Album by Clancy Eccles)
- Varnish Details
- stump
- chafe
- Varnishing
- African Consciences (2003 Album by Various Artists)
- sport
- Sings His Greatest Hits
