English Explanatory Dictionary

rub someone's nose in

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To confront someone with (facts or evidence) that they find unpleasant in order to make them suffer.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rub, nose, in.

Word forms

rub someone's nose in rubs someone's nose in rubbing someone's nose in rubbed someone's nose in

Etymology

From the technique of rubbing a pet's nose in the feces or urine when it makes a mess where it should not.

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