brush against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brush against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an instance of someone or something lightly touching either accidentally or intentionally against something else, such as in the following sentence: "She felt a hand brush against her arm in the crowded hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Briefcases brush against the sunbathing benches.

The New York Times

White wood asters brush against your legs.

The New York Times

"Brush" appears near "lips" when two characters' lips brush against each other or one's lips brush against another's cheek — as happens so often in novels.

The New York Times - Books

Two worlds brush against each other, and there is your plot.

The New Yorker

Let your fingers brush against mine when you pass the bag to me.

The New Yorker

Thumb-size waxy white blossoms of round-leaved pyrola brush against our ankles.

The New York Times

Was that Mr. Handelsman's work in the woods, those snarls of brush against the tree trunks?

The New York Times

Any longer, and his hand or horseshoe might brush against them during the toss.

The New York Times - Sports

I pushed my face towards the dark and felt something soft brush against my lips.

The Guardian - Books

They brush against Plexiglas tags that activate the bells and shimmer beneath the brilliant blue sky.

The Guardian - Arts

Fans leaving one game will brush against fans who are starting to arrive for the other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brush against" to describe gentle, often accidental, contact. This phrase works well when emphasizing the lightness or briefness of the touch.

Common error

Avoid using "brush against" when describing a strong or deliberate impact. For example, instead of "The car brushed against the wall", consider "The car scraped against the wall" or "The car collided with the wall" to better convey the intensity of the contact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush against" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe an action where something lightly touches or makes contact with another object or surface. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase describes a light touching.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

30%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brush against" is a verb phrase used to describe a light, often accidental contact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral register. When writing, use "brush against" to convey a sense of gentle or fleeting touch, and consider alternative phrases like "graze against" or "touch lightly" to add nuance. Avoid using "brush against" when describing more forceful impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graze against

Emphasizes a very light and gentle contact, often unintentional.

touch lightly

Highlights the act of making contact with a delicate or gentle manner.

bump into

Suggests a more abrupt and possibly accidental contact.

glance off

Implies contact at an angle, resulting in a deflection or change of direction.

rub against

Indicates a slightly more sustained or noticeable contact involving friction.

skim over

Suggests passing swiftly and lightly over a surface.

come into contact with

A more formal way of saying 'to touch', without specifying the intensity.

make slight contact with

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the contact.

nudge against

Implies a gentle push or poke, suggesting a more deliberate contact.

tickle against

Suggests a very light and often playful contact.

FAQs

How can I use "brush against" in a sentence?

You can use "brush against" to describe a light or gentle touch. For example, "The leaves "brushed against" the windowpane" or "He felt her hair "brush against" his cheek".

What does "brush against" mean?

"Brush against" means to touch something lightly or gently while passing by or moving. It implies a fleeting or delicate contact.

What are some alternatives to "brush against"?

Alternatives to "brush against" include "graze against", "touch lightly", or "skim over", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "brushed up against" instead of "brush against"?

While "brushed up against" is sometimes used, it often implies a closer or more prolonged contact than "brush against". "Brush against" is generally more appropriate for describing fleeting or unintentional touches.