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rub off on

Idioms  

  1. Become transferred to another, influence through close contact, as in We hoped some of their good manners would rub off on our children. This idiom alludes to transferring something like paint to another substance by rubbing against it. [Mid-1900s]

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.

We see that throughout the season, and they really, like, rub off on each other and they have something to give to the other person.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Some of her enthusiasm might rub off on you.

From Salon • Aug. 27, 2025

He has had five yellow cards and a red already this season and he has got to be careful, because that kind of indiscipline can rub off on your players.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2025

“The way he goes about his job. The energy he brings. It can rub off on us.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 23, 2023

“But the main thing, hogs,” Bull said, “you get to hang around me and all my good qualities will rub off on you.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.