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

High heat draws out moisture and intensifies watermelon’s sweetness, and the rub creates additional caramelization for even deeper flavor notes. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 Sep. 2026

To make the rub, combine all of the rub ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Ribs are a crowd favorite in my family, and this recipe adds extra flavor to the rub with brown sugar, instant espresso, and cinnamon. — Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Nowhere is the rub more evident for Glenn than in these camp practices. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the rub

• nightclub
• bub
• club
• cub
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• scrub
• shrub
• snub