rub
verb (used with object)
to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing.
had been rubbing
-
past perfect progressiveof rub.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Today, the curbs are suitably beaten up, with dings and black smears as if tires had been rubbing against them for decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2024
“They said that bears had been rubbing against the towers,” Mr. Ramsay said.
From New York Times ● Sep. 14, 2011
He said he had been rubbing the man’s back to calm him, and his actions were misinterpreted in the commotion.
From New York Times ● Mar. 13, 2011
He had been rubbing off a Charley horse for most of the final set.
From Time Magazine Archive
The girl had been rubbing at the same single pane of glass for the last few minutes, but that wasn’t why Ophie stared at her.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
