Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To dismiss, ignore, or reject someone or something in a casual, abrupt, or unceremonious way: To treat a person, suggestion, criticism, or problem as unimportant and not worthy of serious attention or consideration.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage: Used to describe the act of ending an interaction or disregarding an idea without giving it proper thought or respect.
  • She tried to apologize, but he just brushed her off.
  • The manager brushed off our concerns about the deadline.
• With an Object: The object (the person or thing being dismissed) can come between "brush" and "off" or after "off."
  • He brushed the reporter's question off.
  • He brushed off the reporter's question.

Advanced Usage and Nuance

• Connotation: Often implies a degree of rudeness, indifference, or a desire to avoid an uncomfortable subject. It suggests the action was done quickly and without ceremony.
  • Despite the serious allegations, the CEO brushed them off as baseless rumors.
• Figurative Use: Can be applied to abstract concepts like criticism, worries, or feelings.
  • You can't just brush off your responsibilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Brush-off (noun): A clear, often rude, act of rejection or dismissal.
  • After waiting for an hour, I got the brush-off from the receptionist.
• Dismiss: A more formal synonym, often used in official or serious contexts.
• Ignore: To refuse to take notice of; may lack the connotation of an active, verbal dismissal present in "brush off."

Synonyms

• Dismiss
• Ignore
• Disregard
• Shrug off
• Wave aside

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Shrug off: To treat something as unimportant or easy to manage. Similar to "brush off" but can imply minimizing the significance of something (e.g., an insult or injury).
  • He shrugged off the criticism and continued with his project.

Related Idioms

• Give someone the cold shoulder: To intentionally ignore someone or be unfriendly toward them. This is more about personal snubbing than dismissing a topic.
• Turn a deaf ear: To refuse to listen to something, such as a request or advice.

Verb

1. bar from attention or consideration
   • She dismissed his advances