rub off
verb
rubbed off; rubbing off; rubs off
: to become transferred
bad habits rubbed off on them
carbon rubs off on your hands
Examples of rub off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If a fictional character's fear can seep through the screen to impact an adult, parents' distress can certainly rub off on their kids.
—
Juli Fraga, Contributor, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Striking employees were vocal about how they are treated and managed and the negative effects are bound to rub off on customers.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
That example rubbed off on younger teammates like sophomore guard Kris Mporokoso, the only non-senior in Waubonsie Valley’s starting lineup this season.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
The magic also rubbed off on other politicians, particularly Barack Obama, who won early endorsements from JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, during the 2008 primary season.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub off
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Juli Fraga, Contributor, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Striking employees were vocal about how they are treated and managed and the negative effects are bound to rub off on customers.
—Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
That example rubbed off on younger teammates like sophomore guard Kris Mporokoso, the only non-senior in Waubonsie Valley’s starting lineup this season.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
The magic also rubbed off on other politicians, particularly Barack Obama, who won early endorsements from JFK’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and her uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy, during the 2008 primary season.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rub off
Cite this Entry
“Rub off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20off. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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