Meaning of rub down | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To rub from top to bottom, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage.
   idiomatic, transitive
2. To frisk (search by feeling the body and clothing).
   dated, transitive
3. To grind, wear down, or wear away by rubbing.
   transitive

Examples

“We were taken to a light airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining each other, where we were rubbed down and fed.”

“[…] "jumped him", as it were, and immediately "rubbed him down" with the view of getting possession of his weapon.”

CEFR level