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• scrub-up
  scrub-up

  noun

  the act of washing or bathing thoroughly, especially the aseptic washing by doctors, nurses, etc., before a surgical operation.
• scrub up
  scrub up

  Thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]

scrub-up

American  

[skruhb-uhp] / ˈskrʌbˌʌp /

noun

1. the act of washing or bathing thoroughly, especially the aseptic washing by doctors, nurses, etc., before a surgical operation.

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scrub up Idioms  

1. Thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]

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Etymology

Origin of scrub-up

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scrub-up scrub up

Even the most vigorous regulatory scrub-up and revamped central bank will not create a well-trained workforce: that will take years of massive investment in education.

From Economist ● Oct. 16, 2014

‘If You Wanna’ is the track that cemented The Vaccines’ status as indie-rock heroes, giving the Ramones punk-pop a good old scrub-up and polish with copious amounts of spaced-out reverb.

From Time ● Jul. 17, 2014

Malraux hastened to add that he, for one, does not consider the scrub-up his supreme accomplishment.

From Time Magazine Archive

Good shot: Laura Hudson learning the lesson Dr. Hochberg wants to teach her, from Dr. Ferguson's impatient fury when she touches him, sterile after his scrub-up, with her bare hands in the operating room.

From Time Magazine Archive

He revealed the depth of his leeriness one afternoon at the scrub-up sink, where he and his assistant were washing after a messy dissection.

From Mate in Two Moves by Marks, Winston K.

"She physically cannot scrub up her hands in the required amount and frequency in order not to spread infections."

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2025

Thus, anyone likely to touch the surgical field is supposed to scrub up to the elbows and under every fingernail for five minutes to reduce the risk of contamination.

From New York Times ● Jul. 12, 2021

“I immediately go take a shower and scrub up from head to toe, before I talk to anyone, speak to anyone, touch anyone,” she said.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 16, 2020

Antioxidants are a broad group of molecules that can scrub up dangerous waste; all organisms produce antioxidants as part of their metabolic balance.

From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2020

I go on into the bathroom to scrub up.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz