rub down

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

noun

1. the act of rubbing down
2. the Hong Kong term for dressing-down

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Give your cutting board a good rinse and rub down with a dish cloth or scrub brush.

From The Daily Beast

The Texan went off to rub down his horse, mend his accoutrements, squat around the cooking fires, and gamble with the drivers.

From Project Gutenberg

After a brisk rub down, the girls did justice to a breakfast of fried eggs, bacon, toast and wild strawberries in thick cream.

From Project Gutenberg

If, after the bath and rub-down, your body has reacted and you feel vigorous and fresh, that bath has done you good.

From Project Gutenberg

"Give her a rub down and a feed, and say nothing about it," said Gano, transferring something from his pocket to the man's hand.

From Project Gutenberg

A cold bath, a brisk rub down and another glass of distilled water completed the morning training.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comb
• educate
• prim
• tend