"rub in" and "rub someone's nose in"

[Tofu]

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rub (something) in or rub in (something)
to keep reminding someone of (something that person would like to forget)
- She keeps rubbing in the fact that she makes more money than I do.
- I know I made a mistake, but you don't have to rub it in.

rub someone's nose in
to repeatedly remind someone of (a mistake, failure, etc.)
- He beat us all in the race and then rubbed our noses in it.
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To me, these two are interchangeable. What do you think?

[Alan]

Hi Tofu,

'Rub something in' suggests that you repeat your complaint/criticism again and again as if you are enjoying making the point. ''Rub someone's nose in it' goes further because you don't just criticise only but make your criticism very personal.

On balance the second (rub nose) is stronger and more personal almost vindictive. To answer your question, I would say they are not interchangeable.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tofu]

Thank you, Alan. Could you give me some examples, please?

[Alan]

Hi Tofu,

Imagine this situation. A has wasted money buying a handbag that cost too much. B keeps reminding her that she has done this.

B I saw that handbag you bought at half the price in the local store

A I wish you'd stop rubbing it in that I spent all that money. I know it was silly of me.

B By the way I told your sister what you'd done and she was really shocked.

A Well, that wasn't very nice of you, was it? There was no need to rub my nose in it as well.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Tofu]

Thank you, Alan.