rub up
verb
rubbed up; rubbing up; rubs up
1
: to revive or refresh knowledge of : recall
2
: to improve the keenness of (a mental faculty)
Examples of rub up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hoards of advertisers and folk who had zero affinity with movies except to rub up against film stars and Hollywood players came later.
—
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Toe then proceeded to gently sniff the baby's head and rub up against it.
—Liz O'Connell, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
It’s rubbed up against human beings in the middle of a pit.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
As a type, there is something of the frontier sheriff or noir detective in the exorcist, someone who has rubbed up against seamy outlaws and knows their wiles.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rub up 
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Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
Toe then proceeded to gently sniff the baby's head and rub up against it.
—Liz O'Connell, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
It’s rubbed up against human beings in the middle of a pit.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
As a type, there is something of the frontier sheriff or noir detective in the exorcist, someone who has rubbed up against seamy outlaws and knows their wiles.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Harper's Magazine, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rub up
Dictionary Entries Near rub up
Cite this Entry
“Rub up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20up. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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