rub up against rub up against {v. phr.} To come into contact with. In that business one naturally has to rub up against all kinds of people. Categories: add yours add yours business {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2025 To section: R Subscribe to: American Idioms► Also consider the parent subscriptions (3)Idioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry Comment on this entry