english
1
general::
brush past sb
to walk quickly past someone, usually because you do not want to speak to them
• Ignoring their protests, Newman brushed past waiting journalists., brush sth off
[ M ]
to refuse to listen to what someone says, or to refuse to think about something seriously
• He just brushed off all their criticisms., brush up on sth
to improve your knowledge of something already learned but partly forgotten
• I thought I'd brush up on my French before going to Paris., brush sb/sth off
[ M ]
to remove dust or dirt from someone or something by using your hands or a brush
• He brushed the snow off his coat., brush sb/sth aside
[ M ]
to refuse to consider something seriously because you feel that it is not important
• She brushed their objections aside, saying "Leave it to me."
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
noun
bristles:
You use a brush to paint a chair.
verb
whisk:
Please brush off your pants.
verb
lightly hit:
He brushed into me.
Simple Definitions
3
general::
noun ADJ. fine, soft, stiff Scrub the wood thoroughly with water and a stiff brush. | nylon, wire | clothes, lavatory, nail, pastry, scrubbing, shaving, toilet VERB + BRUSH apply sth with Apply the paint with a clean brush. | use, wield BRUSH + NOUN stroke The artist has used tiny brush strokes. PREP. with a/the ~ Remove all the rust with a wire brush. PHRASES a brush and comb, a dustpan and brush, verb clean with a brush ADV. down She hummed happily as she brushed down her coat. PREP. at Lucille brushed at the blood on his jacket. PHRASES brush sth clean touch lightly ADV. gently, lightly | accidentally PREP. against She carefully avoided brushing against the man sitting beside her at the table. | by She brushed by him and dashed up the stairs. | past I hardly noticed the man who brushed past me in the corridor. | with He brushed her lips with his.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with BRUSH, Also see GIVE SOMEONE THE AIR (BRUSHOFF); HAVE A BRUSH WITH; TARRED WITH THE SAME BRUSH.
American Heritage Idioms