rub it in
Related to rub it in: shaken up
rub in
1. To cause some substance to be absorbed into something else with vigorous rubbing. (In each usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "rub" and "in.") You'll want to rub in the ointment when your skin is clean and dry. Spread some of the leather conditioner onto the top of your shoe and then rub it in by hand.
2. To make someone feel worse about an already bad, unpleasant, or undesirable situation or outcome. A: "You know that this means you won't get to qualify for the state championships, right?" B: "Sheesh, no need to rub it in, Dave." Why do you always rub in my problems at work whenever we get into an argument?
3. To flaunt one's success or good fortune in order to make someone else jealous. She loves rubbing in the fact that she got promoted before me. Yes, I know you're going to Japan with the money you won in the lottery—you don't need to rub it in!
See also: rub
rub it in
1. To make someone feel worse about an already bad, unpleasant, or undesirable situation or outcome. A: "You know that this means you won't get to qualify for the state championships, right?" B: "Sheesh, no need to rub it in, Dave."
2. To flaunt one's success or good fortune in order to make someone jealous. Yes, I know you're going to Japan with the money you won in the lottery—you don't need to rub it in!
See also: rub
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
rub something in
Fig. to keep reminding one of one's failures; to nag someone about something. I like to rub it in. You deserve it! Why do you have to rub in everything I do wrong?
See also: rub
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
rub in
Also, rub it in. Harp on something, especially an unpleasant matter, as in She always rubs in the fact that she graduated with honors and I didn't, or I know I forgot your birthday, but don't keep rubbing it in. This idiom alludes to the expression rub salt into a wound, an action that makes the wound more painful; it dates from medieval times and remains current. [Mid-1800s] Also see rub someone's nose in it.
See also: rub
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
rub it in
SPOKEN1. If someone rubs it in, they talk about something that embarrasses you, often a mistake that you made or something silly that you did. Okay, I lost all three matches. Don't rub it in!
2. If someone rubs it in, they make you feel jealous by repeatedly telling you about something good that they own or a success of theirs. We all know you're going off on holiday for three weeks — don't rub it in!
See also: rub
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
rub in
v.
1. To work something into a surface by rubbing: I put lotion on my hands and rubbed it in. Don't try to clean the shirt now—you will only rub in the stain.
2. To talk deliberately and excessively about something unpleasant in order to make another person feel bad: She always rubs in the fact that she has more money than me. I know I made a mistake—there's no need to rub it in.
See also: rub
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
rub it in, to
To stress something unpleasant or annoying in a teasing way; to add insult to injury. The it in this expression may well be the salt that is in the much older related term, to rub salt into a wound, which dates from late medieval times (or earlier) and is still current. Rubbing it in originated in America; T. A. Burke used it in 1851 (Polly Peaseblossom’s Wedding): “When it comes to rubbin’ it in, I always . . . roars up.” Also related is the cliché to rub one’s nose in it, meaning to remind one of a humiliating error or experience. “I’ve said I’m sorry . . . Don’t rub my nose in it,” wrote P. Hubbard (Flush as May, 1963). It alludes to rubbing a dog’s nose in a mess it has made.
See also: rub
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- rub in
- rub (something) (all) over (someone or something)
- rub over
- rub up
- rub (something) into (something)
- rub into
- rubbing
- smooth (something) onto (someone or something)
- smooth onto
- praise