Scrub (Verb)
Meaning 1
Wash thoroughly; "surgeons must scrub prior to an operation".
Classification
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.
Examples
- Before the surgery the nurse helped the doctor scrub thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water.
- The medical students were instructed to scrub well before assisting in the operation.
- Make sure to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before starting to handle food.
- Doctors are required to scrub before entering the operating room to minimize the risk of infection.
- To prevent cross contamination the entire surgical team had to scrub before the procedure began.
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Meaning 2
Clean with hard rubbing; "She scrubbed his back".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She scrubbed his back thoroughly to remove the dirt and grime that had accumulated from a long day outdoors.
- He scrubbed the burnt pan with a scouring pad and soap to remove the stubborn stains.
- The maid scrubbed the floors clean before the guests arrived for the party tonight.
- After dinner, she scrubbed the dishes until they sparkled and put them away in the cabinet.
- The kids loved helping to scrub the car with soap and a sponge during the family car-washing day.
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Meaning 3
Postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled; "Call off the engagement"; "cancel the dinner party"; "we had to scrub our vacation plans"; "scratch that meeting--the chair is ill".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- We're going to have to scrub the interview since the candidate didn't show up on time.
- The concert was scrubbed due to the bad weather forecast.
- They had to scrub their vacation plans because their flight was cancelled.
- The company will scrub its initial public offering plan and consider other options.
- We've been forced to scrub the meeting today because the projector is not working.