Phrasal Verbs

rub off

This page is about the phrasal verb rub off

Meaning

If a quality someone has rubs off on other people, they start to show that quality as well.

For example

  • rub off If Simon's enthusiasm rubs off on the other workers, they'll all start working harder.

  • rub off Alan's excitement rubbed off on the other kids, and soon they were all running around shouting.

Quick Quiz

My grandfather was a really calm, quiet man, and it seemed to rub off on other people. When they were with him, they felt

a. excited

b. angry

c. peaceful
a) excited b) angry c) peaceful

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey