rubbing off on
Transferring habits to
When qualities or habits rub off on someone, they're transferred through proximity or repeated contact—the way ink might transfer from one surface to another.
The phrase usually describes how one person's traits gradually influence another: Her optimism is rubbing off on me.
The transfer can be positive or negative: I hope his bad habits don't rub off on the kids.
- habit formationEstablishing automatic behavioral patterns
- second natureDeeply ingrained tendency
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- skill acquisitionGaining new abilities
- empathySharing another's emotions
monkey see monkey do · acculturation · role modeling · mentorship · smudging · conformity · abrasion · cultural exchange · staining · socialization · imitation · mimicry · copycat behavior · social learning · picking up on · catching on · resonance · cross-pollination
rubbing off onteaching
Profession of instructing others
instructing · training · indoctrinating · drilling · coaching