Street
rub out
What does rub out mean?
To rub out a person is to kill them, erasing them entirely. It is classic Prohibition-era gangster slang.
"The rival boss got rubbed out before he could make his move."
Origin
American underworld slang, 1920s.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'rub out' mean?
To rub out a person is to murder them, erasing them entirely. It is classic Prohibition-era gangster slang.
When was 'rub out' commonly used?
It dates to 1920s American underworld slang, popularized during the Prohibition era.
Is 'rub out' still used today?
It survives mostly in historical and pulp-fiction contexts rather than current street use.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
