rub (something) (all) over (someone or something)

rub (something) (all) over (someone or something)

To spread some substance evenly across the surface of something or on someone's skin with a rubbing motion. You'll want to rub the mixture of herbs and spices all over the meat before you pop it in the oven. The doctor told me to rub this salve over the burns on my skin.

See also: over, rub

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

rub something over something

to cover something with something, spreading it by rubbing. The chef rubbed the herbal butter over the skin of the turkey. Please rub the lotion over my back.

See also: over, rub

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.