1
general::
Phrase(s): dust someone off
Sl. to punch or beat someone. • We dusted them off one by one. • We had to dust off all those big guys., Phrase(s): dust someone or something off
to wipe or brush the dust off someone or something. • Dust this vase off and put it on the shelf. • Please dust off this vase.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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general::
1. Restore to use. For example, I've dusted off last year's menu for the party. This usage alludes to cleaning and thereby renewing some object. [Mid-1900s] 2. Pitch a baseball dangerously close to the batter's head, as in I'm sure he dusted him off on purpose. [Slang; 1920s] 3. Finish off, kill; also, easily defeat. For example, They vowed to dust off the old man, or We'll dust off this team in no time. [Slang; c. 1940] 4. Thrash, beat up, as in If he didn't hand over his wallet, they threatened to dust him off. [Slang; 1920s]
American Heritage Idioms