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scrub out

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To get rid of a stain or dirty mark by rubbing it hard with a brush or cloth

Literal meaning: To scrub (clean vigorously) something out — 'out' implies removing or eliminating something

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To remove a stain, mark, or residue by scrubbing vigorously

"She spent twenty minutes trying to scrub out the red wine stain on the tablecloth."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To clean the inside of a container, pot, or enclosed space by scrubbing

"He scrubbed out the old paint tins before using them for storage."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic neutral

(Medical) To complete the de-gowning and de-sterilisation process after a surgical procedure

"Once the operation was complete, the surgical team scrubbed out and headed to the break room."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used both for removing specific marks/stains and for cleaning out the interior of containers or rooms. Also used informally in a medical context to mean completing the de-gowning process (opposite of 'scrub in').

Commonly used with

stain mark pot pan inside container

Forms

Base
scrub out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrubs out
he/she/it
Past simple
scrubed out
yesterday
Past participle
scrubed out
have + pp
-ing form
scrubing out
continuous

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Synonyms

scrub away rub out scour out clean out remove erase

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