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Meaning of rub off on | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C1

Definitions

To be acquired by or transferred to (someone) as a result of regular exposure.

idiomatic, transitive, usually

Equivalents

Deutsch abfärben
Polski udzielać udzielić

Examples

“The hippie way of life seems to have⟳ rubbed off on him, as he's a flower power aficionado.”
“I had hoped that if I went out with Jackie, then some of that elder-stateswoman dignity would rub off on me, but of course without Phil she didn't have⟳ any.”
“Over time, she explained, those beliefs started rubbing off on her.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

rub one off rub one out rub one's face with a brass candlestick rub one's hands rub one's hands together rub oneself off

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