rub

• Nom désignant l'action de frotter ou de presser une surface avec mouvement, ou une substance utilisée pour polir ou nettoyer.

A noun referring to an act of applying pressure and movement to a surface, or a substance used for polishing or cleaning.

1. Massage or frictionA2informal

   An act of applying pressure and moving one's hand or an object back and forth on a surface.

   Frottement, massage

   • She gave her sore back a gentle rub.
   • A quick rub with a cloth removed the stain.
   • He applied a rub to his aching muscles after the workout.

   Synonymeschafefrictionmassagerubdownstroking

2. Difficulty or problemB2informal

   A difficulty or obstacle that prevents something from being straightforward.

   difficulté, obstacle

   • The rub is that we don't have enough time to finish the project.
   • There's the rub: we need more funding but no one will invest.
   • The only rub is that the flight is delayed by three hours.

   Synonymescatchdifficultydrawbackhitchimpedimentobstacleproblemsnag

• Verbe désignant l'action de passer une surface contre une autre, souvent avec pression, pour nettoyer, polir, lisser ou appliquer une substance.

A verb used to indicate the act of moving one surface against another, often with pressure, for cleaning, smoothing, or applying something.

1. Apply pressure and moveA2formal

   To move one's hand or an object back and forth over a surface while pressing, often to clean, dry, or soothe.

   Frotter en appuyant

   • She rubbed her eyes after waking up.
   • He rubbed the stain with a cloth to remove it.
   • The cat rubbed against my leg.

   Synonymeschafemassagepolishscrapescrubstrokewipe

2. MassageB1formal

   To press and move your hands on a part of someone's body to reduce pain or help them relax.

   masser

   • The therapist rubbed my shoulders to relieve the tension.
   • He rubbed his sore muscles after the workout.
   • She gently rubbed the baby's back to help him sleep.

   Synonymeskneadmanipulatemassagework

3. Cause frictionB1formal

   To cause something to move against something else, often resulting in wear or irritation.

   frotter

   • The new shoes rubbed against my heels and caused blisters.
   • The rope rubbed against the rock, fraying over time.
   • The collar of the shirt rubbed his neck uncomfortably.

   Synonymesabradechafecorradegrategrindscrapewear

Variantes phrasalrub alongrub downrub offrub out