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Vocabulary : Phrasal Verbs : R : rub out (1)

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rub out (1) British and Australian English

Meaning: to erase something that's been written or drawn

Synonym: erase

For example:

  • rub out sth If you make a mistake on your test paper, rub out the bit that's wrong and write it again.

  • rub sth out When the teacher saw what someone had drawn on the blackboard, she quickly grabbed her duster and rubbed it out.

Variety: This is typically used in British and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

After thinking about it for a moment, she rubbed out what she
  1. had written
  2. had thought
  3. had eaten

Grammar explanation: separable and non-separable phrasal verbs

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