What Does “Brush sb off” Mean?
“Brush sb off” means to ignore someone or treat them in a dismissive or uninterested way. It often implies rejecting a person’s attention or request.
Introduction
The phrase “brush sb off” is a common English phrasal verb that describes how someone might dismiss or ignore another person. It is often used when someone does not want to pay attention to someone else, either by rejecting their questions, avoiding their company, or not taking them seriously. Understanding the brush sb off meaning helps learners recognize when people are being deliberately uninterested or rude in casual or formal conversations. This phrase is useful for expressing feelings of being ignored or explaining how someone avoids interaction. Knowing how to use “brush sb off” naturally will improve your English fluency and help you understand everyday conversations better.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: brush sb off (brush somebody off)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to ignore or reject someone in a rude or casual way
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Brush sb off” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object (sb) between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- brush someone off
- brush off someone
Both forms are correct, but the first is more common in spoken English.
Examples of patterns:
- She brushed me off when I asked for help.
- He brushed off my questions quickly.
How to Use “Brush sb off”?
You use “brush sb off” when talking about situations where one person ignores or dismisses another person’s attempts to communicate or interact. This can happen in social, work, or personal contexts. It’s often used to describe someone acting uninterested or rude without directly saying it.
For example, if your friend tries to talk but you don’t want to listen, you might “brush them off.” It can also describe ignoring someone’s ideas or requests politely but firmly.
Examples
- She tried to apologize, but he just brushed her off.
- The manager brushed off my concerns about the project.
- Don’t brush me off! I need your help with this problem.
- He brushed off her invitation without giving a reason.
- When I asked for advice, they brushed me off like it was unimportant.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She brushed off me when I asked.
- Correct: She brushed me off when I asked.
- Incorrect: He brushes off to her requests.
- Correct: He brushes off her requests.
Remember, the object (someone) goes directly after “brush” if separated, or after “off” if not.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include:
- Ignore: To deliberately not pay attention to someone, but “brush sb off” adds a tone of casual dismissal or rudeness.
- Turn down: To refuse an offer or request politely, whereas “brush off” is less polite and more dismissive.
- Snub: To deliberately insult or ignore someone, often more formal and harsher than “brush off.”
“Brush sb off” usually implies a quick or casual dismissal, not always with strong emotions.
Common Collocations
- brush someone off politely
- brush someone off quickly
- brush someone off completely
- brush off questions
- brush off concerns
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of brush sb off:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I tried talking to Mark about the meeting, but he just brushed me off.
Tom: That’s rude! Did he say why?
Anna: No, he didn’t even listen. It felt like he didn’t care.
Practice
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
When I asked my boss for feedback, he ______ me ______ and changed the subject.
- a) brushed / off
- b) brushed off / me
- c) brush / off
- d) brushed off to
Answer: a) brushed / off
FAQs
- What does “brush sb off” mean? It means to ignore or dismiss someone in a rude or casual way.
- Is “brush sb off” formal or informal? It is mostly informal and used in everyday conversations.
- Can “brush sb off” be used in business? Yes, but it may sound rude or unprofessional if overused.
- Is “brush off” separable? Yes, you can place the object either between “brush” and “off” or after “off.”
- What are synonyms for “brush sb off”? Ignore, snub, turn down, or dismiss are similar phrases.
