brush off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brush off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the act of ignoring or not paying attention to someone or something. For example: "The boss brushed off his suggestion and moved on to other topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I've learned to brush off many things.

The New York Times

Purists tend to brush off these newfangled varieties.

The New York Times - Travel

Investors seemed to brush off the latest downgrades, however.

The New York Times

But Mr Berisha and his supporters brush off such accusations.

The Economist

The Cruz campaign sought to brush off the Times story.

The New Yorker

Brush off as much salt as you like.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Results of the brush-off?

The New York Times

Better a brush-by than a brush-off.

The Economist

And then brush-off rudeness on top of that?

The New York Times

(H) Enriched gene ontology classes of BC clones versus brush-off tissues.

Protein & Cell

(E) Heatmap showing transcriptome profile correlation value of BC clones and brush-off tissues.

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brush off" when you want to convey a sense of dismissal or lack of concern towards something. It's more impactful than simply saying "ignore".

Common error

Avoid using "brush off" in contexts where you literally mean to clean something with a brush, as this can lead to misinterpretation. Use "clean" or "dust" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "brush off" functions primarily as a verb of action or dismissal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes either the physical action of removing something with a brush or the figurative action of ignoring or dismissing something as unimportant. Examples in Ludwig show both usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

33%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "brush off" is a versatile term used to describe either the literal act of removing something with a brush or, more commonly, the figurative act of dismissing or ignoring something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While it's considered a common phrase, particularly in news and media, it's important to consider the context to avoid misinterpretations between its literal and figurative meanings. When aiming for formality, consider alternatives like "disregard" or "dismiss". Remember to reserve "brush off" for conveying a sense of dismissal or lack of concern, enhancing your writing with a touch of impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disregard

This alternative is a single verb that means to ignore or pay no attention to something.

ignore

This is a straightforward synonym that means to deliberately pay no attention to something.

dismiss

This term suggests a more formal rejection or disregard of something.

shrug off

This phrase is similar but implies a more casual or nonchalant dismissal.

disregard as unimportant

This phrase expands on "disregard" by explicitly stating the reason for dismissal.

pay no attention to

This is a more verbose way of saying "ignore", emphasizing the lack of focus.

make light of

This phrase means to treat something serious as unimportant or humorous.

wave aside

This implies dismissing something with a gesture, suggesting it's not worth considering.

clean

This verb refers to literally cleaning dust or particles from a surface.

remove

This verb refers to literally taking away or eliminating an object or substance.

FAQs

How is "brush off" used in a sentence?

The phrase "brush off" can be used to describe ignoring something or removing something with a brush. For instance, "He tried to warn her, but she brushed off his concerns" or "Brush off the excess flour before baking".

What's a good alternative to "brush off" when dismissing something?

If you want to convey a similar meaning of dismissal or disregard, you can use alternatives like "ignore", "disregard", or "dismiss".

Is "brush off" appropriate in formal writing?

While "brush off" is widely understood, it might be considered somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives like "reject" or "disregard" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "brush off" and "shrug off"?

Both phrases imply a lack of concern, but "shrug off" suggests a more casual or nonchalant attitude. "Brush off" can imply a more deliberate dismissal, while "shrug off" suggests indifference.