rub off on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rub off on" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase means that somebody has been influenced by another person and is usually used in a positive way. For example, you could say, "Her enthusiasm and enthusiasm for life really rubbed off on me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They sort of rub off on one another.

Huffington Post

Why doesn't a colleague's happiness rub off on you?

The Guardian - Money

Would the smell rub off on the back covers of other magazines on the newsstand?

The New York Times

Or will a little of his charm rub off on the dull-as-ditchwater senator?

The Economist

Parts rub off on you.

The Guardian

Microskin is waterproof and won't rub off on clothing.

The New York Times

Has Prokhorov already begun to rub off on the Nets?

The New York Times - Sports

What's more, it won't rub off on your Pratesi pillowcase.

The New York Times

Did any of Fleur's charac teristics rub off on her?

The New York Times

Certainly Ruth's natural zeal doesn't rub off on the celebrities.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"That's going to rub off on everyone else," Nolan said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "rub off on" usually implies a positive or neutral influence; choose another phrase if you want to indicate a negative effect.

Common error

Ensure it's clear which entity is influencing the other. For example, avoid saying "The student rubbed off on the teacher" if the intended meaning is that the teacher influenced the student.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "rub off on" functions as a transitive verb, describing the process by which a quality or characteristic is transferred from one entity to another. Ludwig shows that this typically involves the influencer and the recipient of that influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "rub off on" is a common and generally well-regarded expression used to describe the transfer of qualities or characteristics from one entity to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It typically implies a positive or neutral influence. When using "rub off on", ensure the direction of influence is clear, and be mindful that its connotations are generally favorable. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "influence" or "affect". Remember, it's about the subtle yet impactful way one person or thing can leave its mark on another. The examples presented by Ludwig help to illustrate how this phrasal verb is used in diverse scenarios, from personal relationships to broader societal trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence

This is a more general term for having an effect on someone or something.

affect

Similar to influence, but can also imply a negative impact.

impact

Suggests a strong effect, often measurable.

shape

Implies a formative influence, contributing to the development of something.

mold

Indicates a strong influence, often changing the form or character of something.

transmit

Focuses on the act of passing something on, like a quality or idea.

pass on

Similar to transmit, but more informal.

impart

Suggests the sharing of knowledge or wisdom.

transfer

Highlights the movement of something from one place or person to another.

instill

Implies a deliberate effort to introduce a quality or value into someone.

FAQs

How can I use "rub off on" in a sentence?

You can use "rub off on" to indicate that someone's qualities or characteristics are being transferred to or adopted by another person through association or exposure. For example, "His positive attitude started to "rub off on" his colleagues".

What's a good alternative to "rub off on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "influence", "affect", or "impact". These alternatives provide similar meanings but may convey slightly different nuances.

Does "rub off on" usually have a positive connotation?

Yes, "rub off on" generally implies a positive or neutral influence. If you want to describe a negative influence, you might consider using phrases like "have a detrimental effect on" or "negatively impact".

Is it correct to say "rub off of" instead of "rub off on"?

The correct and more common phrasing is "rub off on". While "rub off of" might be understood in some contexts, it is not standard usage and should generally be avoided.