Is the expression "shake off the rust" commonly used? I've just heard it in a TV series: "it's time to shake off the rust and get back in the game". I think I understand what it means, but I would lik

Melina

Is the expression "shake off the rust" commonly used? I've just heard it in a TV series: "it's time to shake off the rust and get back in the game". I think I understand what it means, but I would like to know if it's frequently used, because it doesn't appear in the dictionary I consult. Thanks to you all in advance

Sep 17, 2013 7:21 PM

Answers · 11

The expression "shake off the rust" is perfectly good English, and appears to be used whenever it's appropriate. I googled, and found 569,000 links to webpages where the expression appears.

September 17, 2013

I've never heard this expression before, but I'm American. It could be a British idiom.

September 17, 2013

It's not super common, but I hear it occasionally. I think most Americans would know what it means. I'd say it is slightly old-fashioned, and more likely to be said by someone who is 50 years old than someone who is 15 years old.

September 17, 2013

yes, it's pretty common

September 18, 2013

MoiraWendy, when I heard it I thought it was "to shake off the dust" because it would be the literal translation from a Spanish expression ("sacudirse el polvo"), but then I checked it and heard and saw in the subtitles it was "rust". Let's see if someone gives us more information!

September 17, 2013

Still haven’t found your answers?

Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!