Definition

1. Noun:
   • A curt or disdainful rejection: A "brush-off" is a dismissive and often impolite refusal or rejection of someone or something, typically delivered in a brief, offhand manner that shows a lack of interest or respect.

Usage

• The term "brush-off" is used to describe an act of rejection that is intentionally casual, cold, or disrespectful. It implies the person doing the rejecting wants to end the interaction quickly and without further discussion.
• It is commonly used in informal contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I tried to ask her out, but I got the brush-off. (My invitation was dismissed curtly.)
  • The manager gave my proposal the brush-off, saying he was too busy to look at it. (He rejected my proposal in a dismissive way.)
  • He felt hurt after receiving such a cold brush-off from his former friend. (He was upset by the disdainful rejection.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give someone the brush-off": This is the most common phrase using this noun. It means to reject or dismiss someone in a curt or disdainful manner.
  • She didn't want to talk, so she gave him the brush-off and walked away.
• "to get the brush-off": This means to be the recipient of such a rejection.
  • Every time he calls, he gets the brush-off from the secretary.

Variants and Related Words

• Brush off (phrasal verb): To dismiss or reject something casually or disdainfully. (Note: This is the verb form from which the noun is derived).
  • He brushed off the criticism as unimportant.
• Rebuff (noun/verb): A more formal synonym for a blunt or unceremonious rejection.
• Snub (noun/verb): An act of ignoring or rejecting someone in a contemptuous way.

Synonyms

• Rebuff: A blunt rejection.
• Snub: A deliberate act of disrespect or indifference.
• Dismissal: The act of sending someone away or rejecting something.
• Cold shoulder: Informal idiom meaning deliberate and visible indifference.

Related Idioms

• Give someone the cold shoulder: To intentionally ignore someone or treat them with deliberate unfriendliness. This idiom is very close in meaning to "give someone the brush-off."
  • After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder for a week.

Noun

1. a curt or disdainful rejection