scrub

/skrʌb/ (bre, ipa) · /skrʌb/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskrəb/ (ame, mw)

scrub — verb

  • scrubpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • scrubshe / she / it
  • scrubbedpast simple
  • scrubbing-ing form

1. to rub something firmly with a brush, soap, and water in order to make it clean

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to rub something firmly with a brush, soap, and water in order to make it clean

例句

Mei-Lin scrubbed the burnt pot for twenty minutes before the black marks came off.

scrub + object (pot) for duration — thorough cleaning

The nurse scrubbed her hands carefully before entering the operating room.

同義詞
  • scour

    stronger — implies rubbing very hard with an abrasive to remove stubborn dirt

  • clean

    more general — does not specify the rubbing action

  • brush

    emphasises the tool (brush) rather than the forceful rubbing motion

文法句型

scrub + object (the pot, the floor)

scrub + at + stain / mark (trying to remove)

scrub + off / away + substance

scrub + object + clean / dry

用法筆記

Frequently used with a following adverb or preposition that shows the result (scrub off, scrub away, scrub out) or the target of the effort (scrub at). The surgical-preparation sense (scrub hands / scrub oneself before surgery) is a special context of this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌I scrubbed the stain but it remains.
✅I scrubbed the stain but it remained.
💡In past-tense narratives, use simple past tense.
❌She scrubbed the table with a cloth softly.
✅She scrubbed the table with a cloth but very gently.
💡'Scrub' implies firm rubbing; if the action is gentle, use a different verb or add 'gently.'

2. to decide not to do something that was planned or arranged, often at the last mi

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to decide not to do something that was planned or arranged, often at the last minute

例句

The airline scrubbed all afternoon flights because of the heavy snowstorm.

passive possible: all flights were scrubbed

Sofia's company scrubbed the training program after the budget cuts were announced.

同義詞
  • cancel

    more formal and neutral; 'scrub' is more informal and suggests a last-minute decision

  • call off

    similar in informality; 'call off' is more common for events like weddings or meetings

  • abandon

    stronger — suggests giving up permanently, not just cancelling for now

反義詞
  • schedule

    opposite — to plan or arrange an event

  • confirm

    opposite — to make a plan definite

文法句型

scrub + planned event / activity

be scrubbed (passive)

用法筆記

Subject is usually an organisation (airline, company, hospital) or a person in charge. The object is always a plan, event, or activity — never a person or object. More informal than 'cancel' and often implies a last-minute decision.

常見錯誤

❌I scrubbed dinner at the restaurant.
✅I cancelled the dinner reservation.
💡'Scrub' is usually for events you are organising yourself, not services you booked.
❌She scrubbed her old phone.
✅She decided not to buy the new phone / She scrubbed her phone-buying plan.
💡The object must be a plan, not a physical object.

scrub — noun