rub off phrasal verb (see also rub)

1. to remove something from a surface by rubbing it, or to come off a surface because of being rubbed
rub something off something
Jack rubbed the mud off his face.
rub something ↔ off
She rubbed off her lipstick and eye shadow.
Some of the gold paint had begun to rub off.

2. if a feeling, quality, or habit rubs off on you, you start to have it because you are with another person who has it
rub off on
She refused to give up, and her confidence rubbed off on the others.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

rub off
rub off (on (someone))
to be learned or obtained without any effort.
I like to think that my love of reading will rub off on my children.

Usage notes: usually used of a skill, an interest, or a quality

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

rub off
to remove or to be removed by rubbing, to erase something
The teacher rubbed off the writing on the whiteboard.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

rub something off
to remove or to be removed by rubbing, to erase something
The teacher rubbed off the writing on the whiteboard.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

rub off
v.
1. To remove or be removed by rubbing; erase.
The teacher rubs the problem off the chalkboard.
After Ann shook hands with the president, she would not shake hands with anyone else because she thought that the good luck would rub off.
2. To stick to something touched; come off.
Don't touch that charcoal, it will rub off.
Mary's dress touched the door that Father was painting, and some paint rubbed off on her dress.
3. To pass to someone near as if by touching.
Jimmy is very lucky; I wish some of his luck would rub off on me.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲