rub down

British  

verb

1. to dry or clean (a horse, athlete, oneself, etc) vigorously, esp after exercise

2. to make or become smooth by rubbing

3. (tr) to prepare (a surface) for painting by rubbing it with sandpaper

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noun

1. the act of rubbing down

2. the Hong Kong term for dressing-down

rub down Idioms  

1. Briskly rub the body, as in a massage. For example, The trainer rubs down marathon runners, or That horse needs rubbing down. This expression was first used (and still is) for rubbing away dust and sweat from a horse. [Late 1600s]

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Example Sentences

Rub down in a mortar the yolks of two eggs boiled hard, an anchovy, two dessert-spoonfuls of oil, three of vinegar, a shalot, cayenne if approved, and a tea-spoonful of mustard.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

Rub down some flour and butter, and give all a boil together.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

F. Rub down with a soft rag, varnish and bake again at 200 deg.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.

Rub down and polish, and the result will be a splendid finish.

From French Polishing and Enamelling A Practical Work of Instruction by Bitmead, Richard

Rub down at 10 A.M. two coats color, and varnish before 6 P.M.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 358, November 11, 1882 by Various

Related Words

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