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: Trust is an intangible asset that can’t be accurately tested.
—
Frederik Gregaard, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Let the meat rest for at least 30 minutes before grilling to allow the rub to penetrate and flavor the meat.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
But here’s the rub: Democrats, both nationally and locally, appear determined to sabotage themselves.
—Marc Lester, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Quarterbacks like that are saved for picks 33-100 — and therein lies the rub with Sanders in a weak class and dire quarterback landscape.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the rub
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Frederik Gregaard, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Let the meat rest for at least 30 minutes before grilling to allow the rub to penetrate and flavor the meat.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 6 May 2025
But here’s the rub: Democrats, both nationally and locally, appear determined to sabotage themselves.
—Marc Lester, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Quarterbacks like that are saved for picks 33-100 — and therein lies the rub with Sanders in a weak class and dire quarterback landscape.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share