rub off

verb

rubbed off; rubbing off; rubs off

Definition of rub off

intransitive verb

: to become transferred bad habits rubbed off on them carbon rubs off on your hands

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Examples of rub off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On the other hand, maybe the glad spirit will rub off on Charles Kelly and that awful UCLA football program. — Los Angeles Times, "Letters: Hot Dodgers are always a hot topic," 17 Apr. 2021 Maybe Neal and anyone else Quinn packs in his luggage from Atlanta will rub off on some of their new teammates. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, "As Jaylon Smith, Ezekiel Elliott remain idle, Jerry Jones needs to set a new standard: Status quo won’t do anymore," 21 Mar. 2021 Form friendships with fine people and maybe a little of their fame and fortune could rub off on you. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Jan. 6, 2021: Happy birthday Norman Reedus; Scorpio, inspiration may spark new project," 6 Jan. 2021 Maybe Johnny is finally starting to rub off on Daniel after all. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, "Cobra Kai Recap: Money for Nothing," 1 Jan. 2021 Barone talked about how Graham’s experience can rub off on Kmet, who was captured on film Sunday talking excitedly with Graham on the sideline after his second touchdown. — Colleen Kane, chicagotribune.com, "What Jimmy Graham has provided the Chicago Bears in the 1st year of his $16 million contract, from 8 touchdowns to mentoring Cole Kmet," 28 Dec. 2020 But as the league diversify’s, better style has started infiltrate and rub off onto many players. — Nandi Howard, Essence, "Meet The Curator Behind The Instagram Handle @Blitzfits," 22 Dec. 2020 Chen: For Xiaolei, love is enmeshed with reverence and fascination and the intense desire to be close to the objects of her affections—both big and small—in the hope that some of their perfection might rub off on her. — Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, "Te-Ping Chen on the Search for Meaning in Shanghai," 11 Dec. 2020 Someone may hope your insight and success will rub off on them. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Nov. 4, 2020: Cancer, trust your instincts; Scorpio, enjoy being spontaneous," 4 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rub off.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near rub off

rub of the green

Statistics for rub off

Last Updated

25 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Rub off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20off. Accessed 18 May. 2021.

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