the rub
noun
formal
: something that causes a difficulty or problem
She's an amazing cook, but she rarely has time to make meals. There's the rub.
Therein/There lies the rub.
Examples of the rub in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here’s the rub: the more essential Optum is to UnitedHealth’s story, the more exposed the company becomes to scrutiny.
—
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But here’s the rub: Dream’s prison is one of his own making.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 July 2025
And therein lies the rub in the new movie: Galactus wants Reed and Sue’s newborn baby.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 July 2025
But here’s the rub: the Padres aren’t talented enough to get to and win a World Series with Grade-F offensive production at one position.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the rub
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Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But here’s the rub: Dream’s prison is one of his own making.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 July 2025
And therein lies the rub in the new movie: Galactus wants Reed and Sue’s newborn baby.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 July 2025
But here’s the rub: the Padres aren’t talented enough to get to and win a World Series with Grade-F offensive production at one position.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the rub
Cite this Entry
“The rub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20rub. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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