1 C1 neutral
to touch or press against someone or something closely while moving past
"In the crowded train, my bag kept rubbing up against other passengers."
inseparable
rub up against
C1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
to come into close contact with someone, something, or a difficult reality, often causing friction
In plain English
to touch or meet something closely, sometimes in an uncomfortable way
What does "rub up against" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
to come into contact with an idea, system, or difficult situation and feel tension or resistance
"As a young reporter, she rubbed up against political power very quickly."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to physically press or move against something by touching it
Actually means
to touch or meet something closely, sometimes in an uncomfortable way
Usage tip
Often used figuratively to mean encountering social limits, authority, or harsh facts. Literal use is less common than figurative use.
Words that pair with "rub up against"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
authority reality poverty tradition people the law
How to conjugate "rub up against"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rub up against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rubs up against
he/she/it
Past simple
rubed up against
yesterday
Past participle
rubed up against
have + pp
-ing form
rubing up against
continuous
Hear "rub up against" in the wild
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