scrub (redirected from scrubbing)

scrub someone or something down

to clean someone or something thoroughly by rubbing. The mother scrubbed the baby down gently and put lotion on her. Please scrub down this floor.

scrub someone or something off

to clean someone or something by rubbing. Mother scrubbed Timmy off. Liz scrubbed off the countertop.

scrub something away

to clean something away by rubbing. See if you can scrub that rust away. Scrub away that rust if you can.

See also: away

scrub something off (of) something and scrub something off

to clean something off something by scrubbing. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I have to scrub the mud off the porch steps. Did you scrub off all the grease?

scrub something out

to clean out the inside of something by rubbing or brushing. Please scrub these pots out and put them away. Jim will scrub out the pots.

See also: out

scrub something out of something and scrub something Out

to clean something out of something by scrubbing. Please scrub the gravy out of the pot. Are you going to scrub out the burned material?

See also: out

scrub up 

1. Lit. to clean oneself up. You have to scrub up before dinner. Please go scrub up before you come to the table.

2. Fig. to clean oneself, especially one's hands and arms, as a preparation for performing a surgical procedure. The surgeon scrubbed up thoroughly before the operation. When you finish scrubbing up, someone will help you on with sterile clothing.

See also: up