brush it off

USAGE SUMMARY

"brush it off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to disregard or shrug off something as if it were unimportant. (Example sentence: After receiving criticism on her work, she brushed it off and kept going.).

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it has, gently brush it off without moving the plant itself or disturbing its roots.

WikiHow

I brush it off with my hand.

The New Yorker

Just brush it off and turn it on them".

The New York Times - Sports

We can brush it off, but it still angers us".

The Guardian

To brush it off as a hoot would be worse.

The New York Times - Arts

I was not able to brush it off".

The Guardian - Sport

But you just have to brush it off".

The New York Times

Dan Wetzel of Yahoo.com wishes Tebow's supporters could brush it off as well as Tebow does.

The New York Times - Sports

But, when she tried to brush it off, the tick wouldn't budge.

The New Yorker

Or are you able to brush it off?

Science Magazine

He would regularly fall asleep in staff meetings, then brush it off as "meditating," she said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brush it off" when you want to convey a sense of resilience or the ability to not be bothered by minor setbacks or criticisms.

Common error

Avoid using "brush it off" when addressing serious issues or someone's legitimate feelings. It can come across as insensitive or dismissive of valid concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush it off" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to describe the act of dismissing something (like a comment, criticism, or setback) as unimportant or inconsequential. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

27%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brush it off" is a common idiom used to describe the act of dismissing something as unimportant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in English. While primarily informal, it appears across various contexts, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science. When using this phrase, remember that it's best suited for situations where you want to convey resilience or a casual attitude, and avoid using it when addressing serious concerns where it might seem insensitive. Alternative phrases include "shrug it off", "disregard it", and "ignore it", offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrug it off

Similar in meaning, but carries a more casual and nonchalant tone.

take it in stride

Implies dealing with something calmly and without being overly affected by it.

disregard it

Implies a conscious decision to ignore something, often because it's deemed unimportant.

pay no mind to it

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to not give something attention or importance.

dismiss it

Focuses on a more formal and decisive rejection of an idea or concern.

not worry about it

Directly addresses the emotional aspect of letting go of concerns.

ignore it

Suggests a lack of attention or acknowledgment toward something.

wave it away

Implies a quick and dismissive gesture, suggesting something is not worth considering.

overlook it

Suggests failing to notice or consider something, often unintentionally.

make light of it

Suggests treating something serious in a humorous or trivial way.

FAQs

How can I use "brush it off" in a sentence?

You can use "brush it off" to describe ignoring something negative, like, "He tried to "brush it off" when he didn't get the promotion and focus on his other projects."

What does it mean to "brush it off"?

To "brush it off" means to dismiss something as unimportant or not worth worrying about. It implies a casual or nonchalant attitude toward the issue.

What are some alternative phrases for "brush it off"?

Some alternatives include "disregard it", "shrug it off", or "ignore it". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to "brush it off"?

No, it's not always appropriate. "Brush it off" should be used cautiously, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive or insensitive, especially when dealing with serious issues or someone else's feelings.