brush over

USAGE SUMMARY

"brush over" is a valid expression in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an action of quickly moving past or covering a topic without giving it much attention or detail. For example, "She brushed over the details of the incident in her report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it also doesn't brush over anything or make out that it doesn't matter.

The Guardian

After the butter, he'll brush over a sweet but tangy orange-maple syrup reduction.

Los Angeles Times

Alternatively, instead of tissue, use an old toothbrush, wet it, and lightly brush over your lips.

WikiHow

Do not brush over broken skin, irritated areas, or other bruised or abnormal areas.

WikiHow

To get Cheryl's lips: Use a light pink gloss, and then brush over with clear gloss.

WikiHow

If you have oily skin or blemishes, purchase a powder to brush over your skin.

WikiHow

Annoying habits are easy to brush over for a few months before they become all you notice.

WikiHow

Brush over the fruit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Brush over surface of buns.

The New York Times

Mix egg with a little water, and brush over rolls.

The New York Times - Food

Quickly brush over the warm loaf to glaze.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brush over" when you want to convey a sense of brevity or lack of thoroughness in dealing with a topic or task. It's effective for indicating that something was handled quickly without deep engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "brush over" as a habitual way to skip details because you don't know them. Instead, acknowledge gaps in your knowledge and seek clarification to avoid sounding evasive or uninformed.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "brush over" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms this through various examples where it describes a superficial or cursory treatment of a subject or task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brush over" is a common phrasal verb used to describe handling something quickly and superficially, often minimizing its importance. As Ludwig's AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and found in diverse sources, predominantly in Wiki and News & Media contexts. While it can be useful to convey brevity, avoid overusing it to mask ignorance or crucial details. Alternatives like "glance over" or "touch upon" can offer nuances in meaning. Understanding these distinctions will improve writing precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glance over

Implies a quick and cursory look, similar to "brush over" but emphasizes visual inspection.

skim through

Suggests reading quickly without detailed attention, like "brush over" but specifically for written material.

touch upon

Indicates briefly mentioning a topic, similar to "brush over" in the context of discussion.

gloss over

Highlights the act of making something seem less important or problematic, sharing the sense of minimizing with "brush over".

pass over

Focuses on the act of skipping or omitting something, similar to "brush over" when ignoring details.

skip over

Directly implies omitting or ignoring, resembling "brush over" in its effect.

hurry over

Emphasizes speed and lack of thoroughness in dealing with something, akin to a rushed "brush over".

rushed through

Suggests a lack of attention to detail due to time constraints, similar to the effect of "brush over".

move past

Highlights the act of progressing without dwelling on something, similar to "brush over" in the context of avoiding discussion.

avoid

Implies intentional evasion of a topic or issue, which can be a reason to "brush over" something.

FAQs

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

You can use "brush over" to indicate a lack of thoroughness. For example: "The report "brushed over" the key financial issues."

What does it mean to "brush over" something?

To "brush over" something means to treat it lightly, quickly, or superficially, without giving it detailed attention. It suggests a lack of thoroughness or care.

What are some alternatives to saying "brush over"?

Alternatives include "skim through", "glance over", "touch upon", or "gloss over", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to "brush over" a topic?

It might be appropriate to "brush over" a topic when time is limited, when the details are not essential, or when the topic is sensitive and requires a delicate approach. However, avoid it when thoroughness is crucial.