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rub

rub

22 7.7
An unexpected problem that makes a plan or situation more difficult
  • noun
  • /rʌb/
  • Informal
translation icon : problema
  • The real rub will come from not using that last 10 percent as seed.
  • Therein lies the rub
  • Here's the rub
  • lies the rub

Listening and talking, Jibanda's concept was simple, but cut to the rub of the problem.

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Examples

  • And here's the rub: the surfaces of those three poems may look very similar.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Okay, so here's the rub.

  • As with so many things in China today, the rub is the gap between theory and practice.

    Academic text (2008)
  • For that was the rub: language was the only homeland!

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Listening and talking, Jibanda's concept was simple, but cut to the rub of the problem.

  • See, now, there's the rub.

  • And that is the rub: the central reason why religion and science are incompatible.

    Blog text (26)
  • Here's the rub: 80 percent of the students in that class received a grade of B or better.

    Academic text (2006)
  • And therein lies the rub: if you want to watch videos on your mobile, download the app.

    Blog text (32)
  • The greatest rub in their plan was the lack of funding for the project.

Synonyms

problem
vsrub
1.2

A situation that causes trouble and needs a solution

is narrower, meaning an unforeseen obstacle that complicates matters
setback
vsrub
148 3.6

A problem that delays progress or makes things worse

is like that but focuses on complicating the situation, not only delay
complication
vsrub
99 4.1

Something that makes a plan or situation harder to deal with

is closer to an unforeseen obstacle rather than general complexity
hitch
vsrub
37 4.2

A small problem that causes a delay

is similar but can be more than a small or brief issue
pitfall
vsrub
35 4.8

An unexpected problem that is not obvious at first

is similar but covers visible and hidden complications alike
snag
vsrub
25 4.6

An unexpected problem that delays a plan

is equally unforeseen but emphasizes making the situation more complicated
hang-up
vsrub
16 5.9

An unexpected problem that stops progress in a plan or process

is similar but also includes complications that merely complicate rather than block
curveball
vsrub
  • Informal
11 6.0

An unexpected problem that makes a situation more difficult

is similar but stresses added complexity rather than surprise alone
speed bump
vsrub
  • Informal
5 3.2

A problem that slows progress in a project

is broader and may include more disruptive complications
4 3.7

A difficult situation that is hard to deal with

is more specific about being an unforeseen obstacle that complicates events
monkey wrench
vsrub
  • Informal
1 7.0

An unexpected problem that causes trouble with a plan

is the same idea but may be less dramatic in effect

A sudden problem that stops progress and causes delay

is like that but highlights added complication rather than just stopping progress
7.0

A sudden problem that stops plans from happening

is similar but focuses on making the overall situation more complex
facer
vsrub
  • Archaic
9.9

A sudden problem that is hard to deal with

is similar but can also mean a less severe unforeseen complication
incumbrance
vsrub
  • Archaic
9.9

Something that makes a task or journey harder

is more specifically an unforeseen complication rather than an ongoing burden
7.4

A difficult problem that needs careful handling

is more about unexpected blockage rather than careful management needs
7.7

A difficult problem with no easy solution

is usually simpler, being an unforeseen complication rather than deep complexity

Antonyms

2.1

An answer to a problem or a way to deal with a difficult situation

2.8

Something that helps a person do better than others

Idioms

1 6.6

To make someone's bad feelings worse by reminding them of a disappointment

Compounds

A vast sandy desert in southern Saudi Arabia and nearby countries with huge sand dunes

9.9

A steady repeating drum sound you hear at parades

A mix of spices with black pepper used to season meat before cooking

How Serious

crisis
3.1
problem
1.2
obstacle
343 3.4
impediment
51 7.0
rub
  • Informal
22 7.7
snag
25 4.6
hitch
37 4.2

Surface Forms

rub singular
rubs plural

Etymology

The meaning of rub as a problem comes from the idea of rubbing that causes 'friction' or a stop in movement, and one famous line in Shakespeare used 'the rub' to mean 'the difficulty'. So today 'the rub' is used for the unexpected snag that makes a plan more complicated.