rub away

rub away

1. To exert pressure on and move in continuous contact with something for some extended period of time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rub" and "away." Often followed by "at something." He rubbed away at the rare coin with a polishing cloth to make it shine like new. I've been rubbing away for nearly 10 minutes, but I just can't seem to get this stain out. Something must be rubbing away at the tire, because it shouldn't be wearing down this quickly.
2. To clean, clear, or remove something with a rubbing motion. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rub" and "away." Let me just rub some of this dirt and grime away so I can make out the inscription on the headstone. This new phone has a really slick design, but I feel like I'm constantly rubbing away fingerprints smudges.
See also: away, rub
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rub something away

to remove something by chafing or rubbing. See if you can rub some of the dirt away. Rub away the dirt if you can.
See also: away, rub
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • buy (yourself) time
  • buy time
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
References in periodicals archive
Alicia washes Jamison in Clorox bleach twice a week for 15 minutes before exfoliating him with a mitt to rub away hard skin and ward off infection
He'd thrown broken glass over it so people would find it hard to rub away."
Rub away any proud edges, clean all the uPVC down and then apply a uPVC primer and re-paint with a topcoat of your choice.
Garnier Express 2in1 Eye Make-Up Remover (125ml), PS3.49, Boots I LIKED the idea of not having to rub away at my eyes to get mascara off and my heavy eye liner and mascara was gone after a few sweeps with a cotton wool pad.
Rating Garnier Express 2in1 Eye Make-Up Remover (125ml), PS3.49, Boots I LIKED the idea of not having to rub away at my eyes to get mascara off and my heavy eye liner and mascara was gone after a few sweeps with a cotton wool pad.
Both problems can be managed by using a washcloth or pumice stone to gently rub away hardened skin after your bath or shower, but don't try to shave or pare away the skin, as this could cause an infection.
Leave to soak overnight, and in the morning the crust will rub away.
Once the beets cook and cool a bit, you use a paper towel to rub away the skins (they slide off easily).
You can also use a nail file to rub away any rough edges inside your shoes and coat them with a thin layer of Vaseline.
Do not rub away at glitter polish with remover as it'll only make the glitter stick more stubbornly.
She wants to rub away the slash of scarlet, drop the whip, let the
It is taking us a long time to rub away the tar that has been painted on us for no fault of ours," one writer said.
Finally, rub away any dried glue around the edges with your finger.
Thousands of people lined up at Covent Garden to rub away at a new pounds 16,000 Chevrolet Captiva.
When the paint was dry, they used sandpaper to rub away the paint outside the lines, again brushing away any dust.