Phrase guide

rub it in

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To add insult to injury; to emphasize one's strengths or another's weaknesses in a manner that degrades another.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • Not to rub it in, but I'm working from home. So I took a swim this morning and have been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To labour the point.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: rozmazávat to — add insult to injury
  • French: retourner le fer dans la plaie — add insult to injury
  • French: en rajouter — add insult to injury
  • Hebrew: זרה מלח על פצעיו — add insult to injury
  • Hungarian: orra alá dörgöl — add insult to injury
  • Hungarian: felemleget — add insult to injury
  • Hungarian: sulykol — add insult to injury
  • Portuguese: jogar na cara — add insult to injury
  • Romanian: a răsuci cuțitul în rană — add insult to injury
  • Russian: сы́пать соль на ра́ну (sýpatʹ solʹ na ránu) — add insult to injury
  • Spanish: refregar — add insult to injury
  • Spanish: restregar — add insult to injury
  • Spanish: refrotar — add insult to injury