rub it in your face vs rub it on your face

Both phrases are commonly used in English, but they have different meanings. 'Rub it in your face' is used to emphasize making someone feel bad about something, while 'rub it on your face' is used to describe physically applying something onto your face.

Last updated: March 15, 2024

rub it in your face

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize making someone feel bad about something.

This phrase is used figuratively to describe someone emphasizing or making someone feel bad about something, often a mistake or failure.

Examples:

He didn't just point out my mistake, he really rubbed it in my face.
She always rubs her success in everyone's face.
I know I made a mistake, you don't have to rub it in my face.

Alternatives:

throw it in your face
shove it in your face
flaunt it in your face
show it off to your face
make a point of it to your face

rub it on your face

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe physically applying something onto your face.

This phrase is used literally to describe the action of rubbing something onto your face, like lotion or cream.

Examples:

She rubs the cream on her face every night before bed.
Make sure to rub the sunscreen on your face before going out in the sun.
He rubbed the mud on his face as part of the tribal ritual.

Alternatives:

apply it on your face
spread it on your face
put it on your face
massage it into your face
smooth it on your face

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rub it in your face vs rub it on your face