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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

rub one's face with a brass candlestick en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (archaic, colloquial) To (prepare to) be very brazen or impudent.
    • "Why, Walsher," said Mr. Stubber, "how many times a day do you rub your face with a brass candlestick? Why, I lent you a pony when you were stumped, and you carried off a cool hundred." 1873, The Gentleman's Magazine, volume 11, page 577:
    • After dinner, I metaphorically rubbed my face with a brass candlestick and became bold enough to ask him to let me read something for him, for the sake of his suggestions and criticism. 1894, Werner's Magazine, volume 16, page 71:
    • Every step you take you proclaim yourself the father of him who rubbed his face with a brass candlestick 1853, Walter William Broom, Many Botanical Secrets, page 4:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
rubs one's face with a brass candlestick Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
rubbing one's face with a brass candlestick Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
rubbed one's face with a brass candlestick Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
rubbed one's face with a brass candlestick Tense=Past lexicographic