rub it in

Meanings

verbrub it in (third-person singular simple present rubs it in, present participle rubbing it in, simple past and past participle rubbed it in)

present singular third person rubs it in · participle present rubbing it in · participle past rubbed it in · past rubbed it in

idiomaticinformalTo add insult to injury; to emphasize one's strengths or another's weaknesses in a manner that degrades another.
Not to rub it in, but I'm working from home. So I took a swim this morning and have been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather.
idiomaticinformalTo labour the point.
"Of course it wasn't worth while rubbing it in before young Hollyer, but, as a matter of fact, every single man carries the life of any other man—only one, mind you—in his hands, do what you will."
1914, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados

Also see

Czech rozmazávat to

French retourner le fer dans la plaie, en rajouter

Hebrew זרה מלח על פצעיו

Hungarian orra alá dörgöl, felemleget

Polish dolewać oliwy do ognia, dolać oliwy do ognia

Portuguese jogar na cara

Romanian a răsuci cuțitul în rană

Russian сы́пать соль на ра́ну

Spanish refregar, restregar

Cite this entry

APA

rub it in. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rub%20it%20in

MLA

“rub it in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rub%20it%20in. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rub it in,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rub%20it%20in.