rub up on


rub up on

1. Literally, to rub against someone or something in an intense or persistent manner. The girl I started dating has a dog that rubs up on me whenever I go over to her house. The elephant started rubbing up on our jeep, making me nervous that it would tip us over.2. To refamiliarize oneself with or stimulate one's memory about a topic or issue. I need to rub up on factorials before attempting to teach them on Monday. I'm spending the weekend rubbing up on Japanese before we fly to Tokyo on Monday.See also: on, rub, up

rub up on

Refresh one's knowledge, as in I must rub up on my French before we leave for Paris. [Second half of 1700s] Also see brush up, def. 2. See also: on, rub, up

rub up on

To refresh one's knowledge of: I have to rub up on my French.See also: on, rub, up