rub in
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To push something like cream or butter into something by rubbing it firmly.
Literal meaning: To press and move something inward into a surface — transparent.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: separable
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."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
cream lotion butter oil flour ointment
Forms
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
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