What is "to rub up"

Rub \Rub\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Rubbing.] [Probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. rhwbiaw, gael. rub.]

1. 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.
   --Sir T. Elyot.

2. To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.

3. 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.
   --Arbuthnot.

4. To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.

   The smoothed plank, . . . New rubbed with balm.
   --Milton.

5. 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.
   --South.

6. To hinder; to cross; to thwart. [R.] 'T is the duke's pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubbed nor stopped. --Shak. To rub down.

   1. To clean by rubbing; to comb or curry; as, to down a horse.

   2. To reduce or remove by rubbing; as, to rub down the rough points. To rub off, to clean anything by rubbing; to separate by friction; as, to rub off rust. To rub out, to remove or separate by friction; to erase; to obliterate; as, to rub out a mark or letter; to rub out a stain. To rub up.

      1. To burnish; to polish; to clean.

      2. To excite; to awaken; to rouse to action; as, to rub up the memory.