Translation guide
The English phrase 'rub out' has two main meanings: to erase or remove something by rubbing, and a slang meaning of to kill or murder someone. The erasing sense is common and useful for learners, while the murder sense is niche and should be used with caution.
To remove marks, writing, or dirt by rubbing with an eraser, cloth, etc.
General verb for erasing, deleting, or turning off. Works for pencil marks, whiteboard writing, and digital deletion.
鉛筆の跡を消しゴムで消した。
I rubbed out the pencil marks with an eraser.
To kill someone, often used in crime fiction or colloquial speech.
Slang for 'to kill' or 'to rub someone out'. Common in yakuza movies and crime stories. Use with caution; it's rough and informal.
This is a rough slang term. Do not use in polite conversation.
When 消す means 'to kill', it is rough slang. Avoid using it in formal or polite contexts. The standard verb 殺す is safer for general use.
彼を消すな。
Don't rub him out.
ホワイトボードの文字を消してください。
Please rub out the writing on the whiteboard.
To wipe off or rub off dirt, liquid, or marks using a cloth or tissue. Emphasizes the wiping action.
テーブルの汚れを布で拭き取った。
I rubbed out the stain on the table with a cloth.
Literally 'rub and erase'. Rare and literary; used for rubbing out marks or sounds.
彼は黒板の文字を手で擦り消した。
He rubbed out the letters on the blackboard with his hand.
あいつを消せ。
Rub him out.
彼は裏切り者を消した。
He rubbed out the traitor.
Standard verb for 'to kill'. Not specifically 'rub out', but conveys the same meaning without slang nuance.
彼は敵を殺した。
He rubbed out his enemy.
To erase from existence; to wipe out. Formal and literary, used for killing or completely eliminating someone or something.
組織は証人を抹殺した。
The organization rubbed out the witness.