1 B1 neutral
In cooking: to blend fat into flour by rubbing between the fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
"Rub the cold butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs."
separable
rub in
B1 neutral separable transitive
To apply a substance to a surface by rubbing so that it is absorbed or incorporated.
In plain English
To push something like cream or butter into something by rubbing it firmly.
What does "rub in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To apply a cream, lotion, or ointment to skin by massaging it in until absorbed.
"Apply a small amount of the cream and rub it in gently with circular motions."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To press and move something inward into a surface — transparent.
Actually means
To push something like cream or butter into something by rubbing it firmly.
Usage tip
Primarily used in cooking (rubbing fat into flour) and cosmetics/medicine (rubbing cream into skin). A common instruction in recipes and product directions. Distinct from 'rub it in', which has a figurative idiomatic meaning.
Words that pair with "rub in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cream lotion butter oil flour ointment
How to conjugate "rub in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rub in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rubs in
he/she/it
Past simple
rubed in
yesterday
Past participle
rubed in
have + pp
-ing form
rubing in
continuous
Hear "rub in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rub in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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