Rub up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɹəb/ /ˈəp

RUB-up

UK

ɹˈʌb/ /ˈʌp

rub-UP

Definition

"Rub up" often means to polish or clean a surface by rubbing it. It can also mean to review or refresh knowledge or skills, especially before an event.

Usage & Nuances

"Rub up" is informal and often followed by 'against' (touching or brushing by accident), or 'on'/'against' (cleaning/polishing). As 'rub up on' (British English), it means quickly reviewing knowledge ("rub up on my Spanish"). Do not confuse with 'rub out' (erase).

• Spanish: frotar - repasar (conocimiento)
• Portuguese (BR): esfregar - revisar (conhecimento)
• Portuguese (PT): esfregar - rever (conhecimentos)
• Chinese (Simplified): 擦拭 - 温习（知识）
• Chinese (Traditional): 擦拭 - 溫習（知識）
• Hindi: रगड़ना - ताज़ा करना (ज्ञान)
• Arabic: يفرك - يراجع (المعرفة)
• Bengali: ঘষা - পুনরায় মনে করানো (জ্ঞান)
• Russian: натирать - повторять (знания)
• Japanese: こする - 復習する
• Vietnamese: chà xát - ôn lại (kiến thức)
• Korean: 문질러 닦다 - 복습하다 (지식)
• Turkish: sürtmek - tazelemek (bilgi)
• Urdu: رگڑنا - تازہ کرنا (علم)
• Indonesian: menggosok - mengulas kembali (pengetahuan)

Example Sentences

Please rub up the silverware so it shines.

basic

I need to rub up on my French before the trip.

basic

He rubbed up the table until it looked new.

basic

I really need to rub up on my Excel skills for this new job.

natural

She accidentally rubbed up against me on the crowded bus.

natural

Let me quickly rub up on last year's figures before the meeting starts.

natural