brush off
(Slang)
[verb]
Synonyms: ignore, disdain, dismiss, disregard, reject, repudiate, scorn, snub, spurn

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

brush somebody/something ↔ off phrasal verb (see also brush)
to refuse to listen to someone or their ideas, especially by ignoring them or saying something rude:
Corman brushed off the accusations. ⇒ brush-off

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ˈbrush-off noun [singular]
rude or unfriendly behaviour that shows you are not interested in someone:
She gave him the brush-off.
I tried to be friendly but I just got the brush-off. ⇒ brush off at brush²

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

brush off
brush off (someone/something)
to not accept someone or something as being important.
When she told me my project would be a better television film than a feature film, I thought she was brushing me off.

But the prime minister brushed off that criticism, saying it was just talk.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of brush something off (= to remove something from a surface by moving your hand quickly over it)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

brush off something
brush off (someone/something)
to not accept someone or something as being important.
When she told me my project would be a better television film than a feature film, I thought she was brushing me off.

But the prime minister brushed off that criticism, saying it was just talk.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of brush something off (= to remove something from a surface by moving your hand quickly over it)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

brush off
v. phr.
1. To refuse to hear or believe; quickly and impatiently; not take seriously or think important.
John brushed off Bill's warning that he might fall from the tree.
I said that it might rain and to take the bus, but Joe gave my idea the brushoff.
Father cut his finger but he brushed it off as not important and kept working.
2. informal To be unfriendly to; not talk or pay attention to (someone); get rid of.
Mary brushed off Bill at the dance.
I said hello to Mr. Smith, but he gave me the brushoff.
Compare: COLD SHOULDER, HIGH-HAT.
Antonym: GET THE BRUSH OFF.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲