rub out

1. To erase, remove, or destroy. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rub" and "out." Janet stealthily rubbed out their names and wrote ours on the application instead. You'll need a powerful cleaning solution if you want to rub that stain out from the carpet.

2. slang To murder someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "rub" and "out." They tried to rub out the witness before he could testify, but the police intervened and saved her life. They're going to rub Manny out if he doesn't step in line.

See also: out, rub

rub someone out

Sl. to kill someone. (Underworld.) The gunman was eager to rub somebody out. The crooks tried to rub out the witness.

See also: out, rub

rub something out

to obliterate something by rubbing. See if you can rub those stains out. Rub out the graffiti on the side of the car if you can.

See also: out, rub

rub out

1. Obliterate or erase by, or as if by, rubbing. For example, Bill was so busy rubbing out the old markings that he forgot to put in new ones. [Mid-1600s]

2. Murder, kill, as in They threatened to rub him out if he didn't pay up. [Slang; mid-1800s]

See also: out, rub

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rub out

1. To erase or obliterate something by or as if by rubbing: He tried to rub the paint out from the fabric. She rubbed out the grease with a sponge.

2. Slang To kill someone; murder someone: The gangsters rubbed out one of the witnesses.

See also: out, rub

rub someone out

tv. to kill someone. (Underworld.) The gunman was eager to rub somebody out.