scrubs
scrubs — verb
- scrubspresent simple I / you / we / they
- scrubses3rd person singular
- scrubsing-ing form
- scrubsedpast simple
1. to clean something by rubbing it hard, usually with a brush and water.
to clean something by rubbing it hard, usually with a brush and water.
Élise scrubbed the muddy floor until the tiles shone again.
scrub + surface object (transitive)
Benjamin scrubs the kitchen counters every night after dinner.
third person singular: scrubs
The cleaning crew scrubbed the graffiti off the station wall.
Grandma scrubbed the burnt rice from the bottom of the pot.
文法句型
scrub + object
scrub + object + clean
用法筆記
Object is normally the surface being cleaned ('scrub the floor'); the dirt itself is removed with 'off' or 'from'.
常見錯誤
2. to decide not to go ahead with something that had been planned.
to decide not to go ahead with something that had been planned.
Mission control scrubbed the rocket launch because of the heavy storm.
scrub + planned event (informal: cancel)
The captain scrubbed the morning dive when the waves grew dangerous.
Heavy snow forced the airline to scrub dozens of weekend flights.
Christopher scrubbed his weekend plans to help his sister move house.
文法句型
scrub + planned event
用法筆記
Object is usually a planned event (a launch, a flight, a mission), not a physical thing. Distinguish from sense 1, which takes a surface or dirt as its object.
常見錯誤
3. (of a surgeon) to wash the arms and hands very thoroughly before an operation.
(of a surgeon) to wash the arms and hands very thoroughly before an operation.
The surgeon scrubbed carefully at the sink before the heart operation.
scrub (intransitive) before surgery
Young doctors learn to scrub properly during their first hospital week.
Nia scrubbed for ten minutes before joining the surgical team.
Every surgeon must scrub thoroughly to avoid spreading any infection.
- scrub up
the everyday phrasal form for the same surgical washing
文法句型
scrub (+ for + duration)
用法筆記
Used intransitively here; often appears as the phrasal forms 'scrub up' or 'scrub in'.
scrubs — noun
1. the action of cleaning something by rubbing it hard, often with a brush.
the action of cleaning something by rubbing it hard, often with a brush.
The old bathtub needed a good scrub before the guests arrived.
need/give + a good scrub (countable act)
Nikhil gave the greasy frying pan a quick scrub in the sink.
give + object + a quick scrub
After the muddy hike, my hiking boots got a thorough scrub outside.
A weekly scrub keeps the kitchen tiles free of grease and mould.
文法句型
give + object + a scrub
用法筆記
Countable in this sense, usually with 'a' and an adjective like 'good' or 'quick'; the verb pattern 'give something a scrub' is very common.
2. a cosmetic product containing tiny rough grains, used to clean and smooth the sk
a cosmetic product containing tiny rough grains, used to clean and smooth the skin.
Sofia rubbed a gentle sugar scrub over her arms in the shower.
sugar/salt/face + scrub (type of cleanser)
This face scrub removes dead skin and leaves the cheeks feeling smooth.
The spa sells a coffee scrub that smells like fresh espresso.
A coarse salt scrub can be too harsh for very dry skin.
文法句型
[type] + scrub
用法筆記
Frequently named after the rough ingredient it contains: 'sugar scrub', 'salt scrub', 'coffee scrub'. Distinguish from sense 1, which is an action, not a product.
3. the loose, comfortable uniform that medical staff put on while working in a hosp
the loose, comfortable uniform that medical staff put on while working in a hospital.
The night-shift nurse changed into clean blue scrubs before the morning round.
scrubs: plural-only hospital uniform
Surgeons must wear sterile scrubs and a mask inside the operating room.
Talia spilled coffee on her green scrubs during the busy shift.
Hospital staff leave their used scrubs in a special laundry bin.
- uniform
general work clothing; scrubs are the specific hospital type
文法句型
scrubs (plural)
用法筆記
Always plural in this sense — 'scrubs', never 'a scrub' — and it takes plural agreement ('her scrubs are dirty').