Rub vs. Rob — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Rub" refers to applying pressure and moving over a surface, often for cleaning or massaging, while "rob" involves taking property unlawfully or by force.
Difference Between Rub and Rob
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rub involves a physical action where one surface is moved against another, often using some pressure. Whereas rob denotes an act of theft or burglary, where property is taken without permission and typically involves breaking the law.
Rubbing is generally a benign or even beneficial activity, used in contexts like massage or cleaning. On the other hand, robbing is a criminal act, universally regarded as negative and harmful, affecting the victim's security and well-being.
The intention behind rubbing is usually therapeutic or cleansing, aiming to achieve something positive, such as relaxation or cleanliness. Whereas the intention behind robbing is to unlawfully gain, depriving another of their belongings or peace of mind.
Rub can also mean to cause irritation or difficulty, often expressed in phrases like "this is going to rub people the wrong way." In contrast, rob can extend beyond physical theft to include depriving someone of a deserved experience or recognition, as in "he was robbed of the victory."
While rub requires direct contact and movement against a surface, resulting in either a physical or metaphorical effect, rob typically involves stealth, force, or threat, focusing on the illicit acquisition of valuables.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Apply pressure and move over a surface
Take property unlawfully or by force
Connotation
Neutral or positive, therapeutic
Negative, criminal
Primary Context
Cleaning, massaging, causing friction
Theft, burglary, depriving someone of something
Intent
Therapeutic, cleansing, sometimes annoying
Unlawful gain, harm, or deprivation
Method
Physical contact and movement
Stealth, force, or threat
Compare with Definitions
Rub
To move one's hand or an object back and forth over a surface with pressure.
She used a cloth to rub the table clean.
Rob
To deprive someone of something undeservedly.
She was robbed of her chance to compete in the finals.
Rub
To spread a substance over a surface by rubbing.
She rubbed oil into the wooden furniture.
Rob
To steal from someone or somewhere, usually by force or threat.
The store was robbed last night.
Rub
To massage a body part by moving one's hands on the skin.
He rubbed his tired eyes.
Rob
To take property unlawfully from a person or place.
He was caught trying to rob a bank.
Rub
To be in close contact or proximity, causing slight friction.
The shoes were too tight and began to rub against her heels.
Rob
To take something from someone in an unfair manner.
His invention was robbed of recognition by his peers.
Rub
To cause irritation or minor friction.
His comments are going to rub some people the wrong way.
Rob
To burglarize, involving breaking into a building to commit theft.
Thieves robbed three houses in our neighborhood.
Rub
Apply firm pressure to the surface of (something), using a repeated back and forth motion
She rubbed her arm, where she had a large bruise
He rubbed at the earth on his jeans
Rob
(Law) To take property from (a person) illegally by using or threatening to use violence or force; commit robbery upon.
Rub
(with reference to two things) move or cause to move to and fro against each other with a certain amount of friction
Many insects make noises by rubbing parts of their bodies together
The ice breaks into small floes that rub against each other
Rob
To steal something from (a place, vehicle, or institution, for example)
Bandits robbed the train.
Rub
An act of rubbing
She pulled out a towel and gave her head a quick rub
Rob
To steal (money or valuables)
Robbed money out of the till.
Rub
The central problem or difficulty in a situation
That was the rub—she had not cared enough
Rob
To deprive unjustly of something belonging to, desired by, or legally due (someone)
Robbed her of her professional standing.
Rub
(in bowling) an uneven patch of ground that impedes or diverts a bowl.
Rob
To deprive of something injuriously
A parasite that robs a tree of its sap.
Rub
To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).
Rob
To engage in or commit robbery.
Rub
To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.
Rob
(transitive) To steal from, especially using force or violence.
He robbed three banks before he was caught.
Rub
To apply to a surface firmly and with friction
Rub lotion on the hands.
Rub dye into the fabric.
Rob
(transitive) To deprive of, or withhold from, unjustly or injuriously; to defraud.
The best way to rob a bank is to own one.
Rub
To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly
Rub an eraser over the blackboard.
Rubbed my fingers over the sore spot.
Rob
To deprive (of).
Working all day robs me of any energy to go out in the evening.
Rub
To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.
Rob
To burgle.
Rub
To remove, erase, or expunge
Rub away a stain.
Rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
Rob
To steal.
That bloke robbed my phone!
Rub
To exert pressure or friction on something.
Rob
(intransitive) To commit robbery.
Rub
To wear or chafe with friction
My shoes were beginning to rub.
Rob
(sports) To take possession of the ball, puck etc. from.
Rub
To cause irritation or annoyance.
Rob
A syrup made of evaporating fruit juice over a fire, usually mixed with sugar or honey, and especially used for medicinal purposes.
Rub
To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.
Rob
The inspissated juice of ripe fruit, obtained by evaporation of the juice over a fire till it acquires the consistence of a sirup. It is sometimes mixed with honey or sugar.
Rub
To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity
Newsprint that rubbed off on my fingers.
Wished some of her luck would rub off on me.
Rob
To take (something) away from by force; to strip by stealing; to plunder; to pillage; to steal from.
Who would rob a hermit of his weeds,His few books, or his beads, or maple dish?
He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen,Let him not know it, and he's not robbed at all.
To be executed for robbing a church.
Rub
The act of rubbing.
Rob
To take the property of (any one) from his person, or in his presence, feloniously, and against his will, by violence or by putting him in fear.
Rub
The application of friction and pressure
A back rub.
Rob
To deprive of, or withhold from, unjustly or injuriously; to defraud; as, to rob one of his rest, or of his good name; a tree robs the plants near it of sunlight.
I never robbed the soldiers of their pay.
Rub
A liniment or balm.
Rob
To take that which belongs to another, without right or permission, esp. by violence.
I am accursed to rob in that thief's company.
Rub
A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
Rob
Take something away by force or without the consent of the owner;
The burglars robbed him of all his money
Rub
An unevenness on a surface.
Rob
Rip off; ask an unreasonable price
Rub
An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.
Rub
A difficulty or obstacle
"The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland" (William J. Broad).
Rub
An act of rubbing.
Give that lamp a good rub and see if any genies come out.
Rub
A difficulty or problem.
Rub
(archaic) A quip or sarcastic remark.
Rub
In the game of crown green bowls, any obstacle by which a bowl is diverted from its normal course.
Rub
Any substance designed to be applied by rubbing.
A heat rub intended for muscular strains
Rub
A mixture of spices applied to meat before it is barbecued.
Rub
A loan.
Rub
(transitive) To move (one object) while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.
I rubbed the cloth over the glass.
The cat rubbed itself against my leg.
I rubbed my hands together for warmth.
Rub
(transitive) To rub something against (a second thing).
I rubbed the glass with the cloth.
Rub
(intransitive) To be rubbed against something.
My shoes are beginning to rub.
Rub
(transitive) To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
Meat rubbed with spices before barbecuing
Rub
(dated) To move or pass with difficulty.
To rub through woods, as huntsmen
Rub
To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; often with up or over.
To rub up silver
Rub
To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
Rub
To touch the jack with the bowl.
Rub
To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.
It shall be expedient, after that body is cleaned, to rub the body with a coarse linen cloth.
Rub
To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
Rub
To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
Two bones rubbed hard against one another.
Rub
To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
The smoothed plank, . . .New rubbed with balm.
Rub
To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; - often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation.
Rub
To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
'T is the duke's pleasure,Whose disposition, all the world well knows,Will not be rubbed nor stopped.
Rub
To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.
Rub
To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.
Rub
To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.
Rub
The act of rubbing; friction.
Rub
That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.
Every rub is smoothed on our way.
To sleep, perchance to dream; ay, there's the rub.
Upon this rub, the English ambassadors thought fit to demur.
One knows not, certainly, what other rubs might have been ordained for us by a wise Providence.
Rub
Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness.
Rub
Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.
Rub
Imperfection; failing; fault.
Rub
A chance.
Flight shall leave no Greek a rub.
Rub
A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; - called also rubstone.
Rub
An unforeseen obstacle
Rub
The act of rubbing or wiping;
He gave the hood a quick rub
Rub
Move over something with pressure;
Rub my hands
Rub oil into her skin
Rub
Cause friction;
My sweater scratches
Rub
Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching;
Don't scratch your insect bites!
Common Curiosities
Can rubbing ever be harmful?
Yes, excessive rubbing can cause skin irritation or damage surfaces.
What does it mean to be "robbed" in a figurative sense?
It can mean being unjustly deprived of something, like an opportunity or recognition.
Is robbing always associated with violence?
Not always, but it often involves force, threat, or breaking into a place.
What is the fundamental difference between rub and rob?
Rub involves physical movement over a surface, often for beneficial reasons, while rob involves unlawfully taking property.
What are common contexts where "rub" is used?
Massage, cleaning, and in idioms like "rubbing someone the wrong way."
How can one prevent being robbed?
By securing belongings, using security systems, and being cautious in vulnerable situations.
Can "rob" have a positive connotation?
It generally has a negative connotation, as it involves unlawfulness and harm.
How is "rub" used in everyday language?
It's used to describe actions of applying pressure and movement, as in cleaning or massaging.
What types of products are associated with "rub"?
Cleaning agents, massage oils, and various abrasives used for maintenance and care.
What legal consequences exist for robbing?
It typically results in criminal charges, which can lead to imprisonment or fines.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
