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1 ~ sth (with sth) to move your hand, or sth such as a cloth, backwards and forwards over a surface while pressing firmly:
[VN] She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. * Rub the surface with sandpaper before painting. * The cat rubbed itself against my legs. * I rubbed a clear patch on the window with my fingers. * He rubbed a hand wearily over his eyes. * [V] I rubbed at the stain on the cloth. * Animals had been rubbing against the trees. * [VN-ADJ] Rub the surface smooth. * She rubbed her hair dry quickly with a towel.
2 ~ (sth) (together) to press two surfaces against each other and move them backwards and forwards; to be pressed together and move in this way:
[VN] She rubbed her hands in delight. * In some cultures, people traditionally greet each other by rubbing noses. * [V] It sounded like two pieces of wood rubbing together.
3 ~ (on / against sth) (of a surface) to move backwards and forwards many times against sth while pressing it, especially causing pain or damage:
[V] The back of my shoe is rubbing. * The wheel is rubbing on the mudguard. * [VN-ADJ] The horse's neck was rubbed raw (= until the skin came off) where the rope had been. [also VN]
4 [VN+adv./prep.] to spread a liquid or other substance over a surface while pressing firmly:
She rubbed the lotion into her skin. * Rub salt over the fish before cooking.
IDIOMS
rub sb's nose in it (informal) to keep reminding sb in an unkind way of their past mistakes
rub salt into the wound
