English Dictionary

rub up

verb

(transitive) To polish or scrub; to cover (something with a substance) by rubbing. / (transitive) To rub (a body part): to massage, give a massage to. / (transitive) To create (something) by rubbing.

I need to rub up the silverware before the dinner party.

意味（1）

(transitive) To polish or scrub; to cover (something with a substance) by rubbing.

I rubbed up the brass buttons on my jacket to make them shine.

意味（2）

(transitive) To rub (a body part): to massage, give a massage to.

[…] every Morning when you Comb your head, dip a sponge in this water and rub up your Hair, and it will keep it clean and preserve it,

意味（3）

(transitive) To create (something) by rubbing.

to rub up a lather

意味（4）

(transitive, intransitive, informal, dated) To revive one's knowledge of (something); to renew (a skill).

I must rub up my balancing, and chasing, and boring.

意味（5）

(transitive, US, slang) To assault (someone).

There was a lot of yelling and gesticulating, and a few blows were passed. A couple of guards got rubbed up a little.

意味（6）

(transitive, obsolete) To reduce (something) to a powder or paste using friction (with a mortar and pestle, for example); to mix (with something) using friction.

to rub up pigments with water or oil

意味（7）

(transitive, obsolete) To excite or awaken (something); to revive or reawaken (something).

to rub up the memory; to rub up old sores