See also: rubdown

English

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Pronunciation

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Verb

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rub down (third-person singular simple present rubs down, present participle rubbing down, simple past and past participle rubbed down)

  1. (idiomatic, transitive) To rub from top to bottom, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage.
  2. (dated, transitive) To frisk (search by feeling the body and clothing).
    • 1931, Hargrave Lee Adam, C.I.D. Behind the Scenes at Scotland Yard, page 221:
      [] "jumped him", as it were, and immediately "rubbed him down" with the view of getting possession of his weapon.