an obstacle or difficulty (esp in the phrase there's the rub)
See full dictionary entry for rub
Examples of 'the rub' in a sentence
the rub
Instead, he heard her teeth chattering and the rub of her hands up and down her arms, massaging out cold.
Thomas, Craig THE LAST RAVEN (2003)
They tied us to the trunks of the eucalyptus, its peeling bark rustling to the rub of ropes.
Brierley, David SKORPION'S DEATH (2003)
He will, of course, have all the same victuals as the amateur but -- and here's the rub -- he will have hidden them.
Edward Docx THE CALLIGRAPHER (2003)
Synonyms of 'the rub'
difficulty, problem, catch, trouble
More Synonyms of the rub
All related terms of 'the rub'
there's the rub
said to mean that there is a problem or contradiction which is difficult or impossible to deal with
rub the wrong way
to be annoying , irritating , etc. to
the rub of the green
good luck in an activity or sport
rub salt into the wound
to make something even worse for someone, for example by reminding them of their failures or faults or by increasing their difficulties
rub up the wrong way
to arouse anger in; annoy
rub sb up the wrong way
If you rub someone up the wrong way in British English , or rub someone the wrong way in American English, you offend or annoy them without intending to.
to rub salt into the wound
If someone or something rubs salt into the wound , they make the unpleasant situation that you are in even worse , often by reminding you of your failures or faults .
(phrase)
And therein lies the rub.
Synonyms
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
problem
the economic problems of the inner city
catch (informal)
It sounds too good to be true – what's the catch?
trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law
obstacle
Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions.
hazard
hitch
The five-hour operation went without a hitch.
drawback
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.
snag
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
uphill (South Africa)
This job has been a real uphill.
impediment
There is no legal impediment to the marriage.
hindrance
Higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.
See rub
Additional synonyms
in the sense of catch
Definition
a concealed or unforeseen drawback
It sounds too good to be true – what's the catch?
Synonyms
drawback,
trick,
trap,
disadvantage,
hitch,
snag,
stumbling block,
fly in the ointment
in the sense of drawback
Definition
a disadvantage or hindrance
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.
Synonyms
disadvantage,
trouble,
difficulty,
fault,
handicap,
obstacle,
defect,
deficiency,
flaw,
hitch,
nuisance,
snag,
downside,
stumbling block,
impediment,
detriment,
imperfection,
hindrance,
fly in the ointment (informal)
in the sense of hindrance
Definition
an obstruction or snag
Higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.
Synonyms
obstacle,
check,
bar,
block,
difficulty,
drag,
barrier,
restriction,
handicap,
limitation,
hazard,
restraint,
hitch,
drawback,
snag,
deterrent,
interruption,
obstruction,
stoppage,
stumbling block,
impediment,
encumbrance,
trammel
Nearby words of
the rub
the real McCoy
the retired
the rope
the rub
the sack
the same again
the same as
Related terms of
the rub
rub salt into the wound
rub someone up the wrong way
Synonyms of 'the rub'
the rub
Explore 'the rub' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hitch
Definition
a temporary or minor problem or difficulty
The five-hour operation went without a hitch.
Synonyms
problem,
catch (informal),
trouble,
check,
difficulty,
delay,
hold-up,
obstacle,
hazard,
drawback,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
stoppage,
mishap,
impediment,
hindrance
in the sense of impediment
Definition
a hindrance or obstruction
There is no legal impediment to the marriage.
Synonyms
obstacle,
barrier,
check,
bar,
block,
difficulty,
hazard,
curb,
snag,
obstruction,
stumbling block,
hindrance,
encumbrance,
fly in the ointment,
millstone around your neck
in the sense of obstacle
Definition
a situation or event that prevents something being done
Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions.
Synonyms
hindrance,
check,
bar,
block,
difficulty,
barrier,
handicap,
hurdle,
hitch,
drawback,
snag,
deterrent,
uphill (South Africa),
obstruction,
stumbling block,
impediment
in the sense of problem
Definition
something or someone that is difficult to deal with
the economic problems of the inner city
Synonyms
difficulty,
trouble,
dispute,
plight,
obstacle,
dilemma,
headache (informal),
disagreement,
complication,
predicament,
quandary,
turf war (informal)
in the sense of snag
Definition
a small problem or difficulty
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
Synonyms
difficulty,
hitch,
problem,
obstacle,
catch (informal),
hazard,
disadvantage,
complication,
drawback,
inconvenience,
downside,
stumbling block,
the rub
in the sense of trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law