rub something/somebody ↔ down phrasal verb ( see also ↑ rub )
1 . to make a surface smooth by rubbing it with ↑ sandpaper :
That door needs rubbing down before you paint it.
2 . to dry a person or animal by rubbing them with a cloth, ↑ towel etc:
The groom rubbed down the horses.
3 . to ↑ massage someone, especially after exercise