Meaning & use
rub offs
Last updated
“rub offs” is a form of “rub off”.
Meaning
nounpluralinformal
The effects or influences that pass from one person or thing to another through close contact.
Grammar: Always plural; used in phrases like 'the rub offs of success' or 'good rub offs'.
Patterns
- the rub offs of something
- good rub offs
- bad rub offs
One of the rub offs of working with such a talented team is that your own skills improve quickly.
There can be negative rub offs when children spend time with friends who break the rules.
The rub offs from her positive attitude were clear: everyone in the office seemed happier.
Word forms
| base form (verb) | rub off |
|---|---|
| third person singular | rubs off |
| past tense | rubbed off |
| past participle | rubbed off |
| -ing form | rubbing off |
Common combinations
- rub off on someone
- His enthusiasm rubbed off on the whole class.
- good rub offs
- The good rub offs of studying abroad include greater independence.
- bad rub offs
- Parents worry about the bad rub offs of violent video games.
- rub offs from
- The rub offs from her kindness were felt by everyone around her.
Synonyms and how they differ
- effects
- More neutral and general; 'rub offs' is informal and suggests influence through contact.
- influences
- Focuses on the power to affect someone; 'rub offs' often implies a gradual, unintended transfer.
- spin-offs
- Used for unexpected results or products; 'rub offs' is more about personal or behavioral effects.
Word family
Commonly confused: rub offs or rub-off?
rub offs vs rub-off
As a noun, 'rub-off' (with a hyphen) often refers to a mark left by rubbing, while 'rub offs' usually means influences.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'rub offs' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Rub offs' is a plural noun meaning influences or effects. Option 0 uses it correctly as a noun. Options 1 and 2 use 'rub offs' as a verb, which is wrong because the verb is 'rub off' (he rubs off, she rubs off). Option 3 uses a singular verb 'is' with a plural noun, which is grammatically incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rub offs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.