Rub out
verb
To erase something written or drawn, usually with an eraser.
I made a mistake in my math homework, so I had to rub it out and write the correct answer.
Often appears as...
- rub out a mistake
- rub out a word
verb
To kill or murder someone, mostly used in crime stories or movies.
The gangster was planning to rub out his rival.
Often appears as...
- rub someone out
- rub out a witness
Usage tips
Slang, Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To erase something written or drawn, usually with an eraser.
I made a mistake in my math homework, so I had to rub it out and write the correct answer.
Often appears as...
- rub out a mistake
- rub out a word
verb
To kill or murder someone, mostly used in crime stories or movies.
The gangster was planning to rub out his rival.
Often appears as...
- rub someone out
- rub out a witness
Usage tips
Slang, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Non-permanent
Use 'rub out' for actions that remove temporary marks, hinting reversibility and correction.
If you rub out the pencil marks, your drawing will look cleaner.
Pro Tip 2/3Manual Action
It implies physical effort with an eraser or similar object to remove marks.
I had to rub out the entire chalkboard after class.
Pro Tip 3/3Mistake Correction
Often used to correct a mistake in writing or drawing.
When you find a typo, just rub it out and continue typing.
Pro Tip 1/3Non-permanent
Use 'rub out' for actions that remove temporary marks, hinting reversibility and correction.
If you rub out the pencil marks, your drawing will look cleaner.
Pro Tip 2/3Manual Action
It implies physical effort with an eraser or similar object to remove marks.
I had to rub out the entire chalkboard after class.
Pro Tip 3/3Mistake Correction
Often used to correct a mistake in writing or drawing.
When you find a typo, just rub it out and continue typing.
Pro Tip 1/3Non-permanent
Use 'rub out' for actions that remove temporary marks, hinting reversibility and correction.
If you rub out the pencil marks, your drawing will look cleaner.
Pro Tip 2/3Manual Action
It implies physical effort with an eraser or similar object to remove marks.
I had to rub out the entire chalkboard after class.
Pro Tip 3/3Mistake Correction
Often used to correct a mistake in writing or drawing.
When you find a typo, just rub it out and continue typing.
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