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rub out

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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 somebody out

also rub out somebody

to kill someone She got into serious trouble when she ran an ad that said, “Looking for someone to rub out your Ex?” as a joke.

Usage notes: generally used when referring to criminals who employ someone to kill an enemy

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

rub out

v.

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