Meaning
To brush off means to dismiss, ignore, or treat something/someone as unimportant. It often conveys a sense of indifference or lack of concern.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Phrasal verb
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Transitive: yes (you brush off someone/something)
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Common patterns:
- brush off + noun/pronoun
- Often used with people, suggestions, complaints, or problems.
Common Phrases
- brush off criticism
- brush off a question
- brush someone off
- give someone the brush-off (noun form)
Collocations
- Verb + off: brush off criticism, brush off concerns, brush off dust
- Noun + off: a casual brush-off, an arrogant brush-off
- Adjective + off: quick brush-off, cold brush-off
Examples
- She tried to talk to him, but he brushed her off.
- The manager brushed off the employees’ concerns about overtime.
- He brushed off the dirt from his jacket and walked into the room.
- The politician brushed off the journalist’s tough questions.
- Don’t brush off my ideas just because they are different.
- She gave him a cold brush-off when he asked her out.
- He brushed off the rumors as unimportant.
- The teacher brushed off the student’s excuse for being late.
Synonyms or Related
- ignore
- dismiss
- disregard
- shrug off
- wave off
Antonym
- pay attention to
- take seriously
- acknowledge
- consider