1 C1 idiomatic neutral
to refresh or improve your knowledge of a subject or skill
"I need to rub up on my German before the trip to Berlin."
inseparable
rub up on
C1 neutral inseparable transitive
to improve or refresh your knowledge of something by studying it again
In plain English
to practice or study something again so you remember it better
What does "rub up on" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to rub something onto something else
Actually means
to practice or study something again so you remember it better
Usage tip
Less common than 'brush up on', which most learners will hear more often. Often used in British English.
Words that pair with "rub up on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
French Spanish history maths grammar interview skills
How to conjugate "rub up on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rub up on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rubs up on
he/she/it
Past simple
rubed up on
yesterday
Past participle
rubed up on
have + pp
-ing form
rubing up on
continuous
Hear "rub up on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rub up on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "rub up on"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
brush up on read up on refresh your knowledge of review revise study again
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.