1
general::
Phrase(s): rub something off (of) something [and] rub something off
to remove something from something by rubbing. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) • The butler rubbed the tarnish off the pitcher. • The butler rubbed off the dark tarnish., Phrase(s): rub off ((of) something)
[for something] to become detached from something because of incidental rubbing or scraping. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) • The label rubbed off this can. What do you think it is? • I can’t tell what it is. The label rubbed off., Phrase(s): rub off (on someone)
[for a characteristic of one person] to seem to transfer to someone else. • I’ll sit by Ann. She has been lucky all evening. Maybe it’ll rub off on me. • Sorry. I don’t think that luck rubs off.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs