Phrasal Verbs

rub out (1)

This page is about the phrasal verb 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

a. had written

b. had thought

c. had eaten
a) had written b) had thought c) had eaten

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey