What Does “Brush sth away” Mean?
“Brush sth away” means to remove something by lightly sweeping it off or to dismiss a thought, feeling, or problem as unimportant.
Introduction
The phrase “brush sth away” is a common English phrasal verb with two main uses. First, it describes physically removing something by sweeping it off with a brush or hand, like dust or crumbs. Second, it is often used figuratively to show that someone is ignoring or rejecting an idea, feeling, or problem. Understanding the brush sth away meaning helps learners use it correctly in different situations, whether talking about cleaning or emotions. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations and writing because it adds clarity and expression when describing actions or attitudes.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: brush something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to remove or dismiss something by sweeping or ignoring
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Brush sth away” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between “brush” and “away” or after the entire phrase.
- brush + object + away (e.g., brush the dust away)
- brush away + object (e.g., brush away the dust)
Both forms are correct, but placing the object between “brush” and “away” is more common.
How to Use “Brush sth away”?
Use “brush sth away” when talking about physically removing small particles or objects from a surface. For example, brushing away dust from a table. You can also use it figuratively to describe ignoring or dismissing feelings, advice, or problems. For example, brushing away someone’s concerns means not taking them seriously. It can express a light action or a mental attitude.
Examples
- She brushed the crumbs away from the table before eating.
- He tried to brush away his worries about the exam.
- The wind brushed away the fallen leaves in the garden.
- Don’t brush away my advice so quickly; it might help you.
- She brushed away the tears and smiled.
These examples show how “brush sth away” works both literally and figuratively.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She brush away the dust.
Correct: She brushes away the dust. - Incorrect: He brushed away quickly the problem.
Correct: He brushed the problem away quickly. - Incorrect: Brush away it.
Correct: Brush it away.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “wipe away,” “sweep away,” and “push away.”
- Wipe away: Usually involves using a cloth or hand to remove something wet or sticky, e.g., wiping away tears.
- Sweep away: Often used for larger or heavier objects, e.g., sweeping away dust or leaves.
- Push away: Refers to physically pushing something or someone to create distance, not necessarily cleaning.
“Brush sth away” is lighter and often more casual than “sweep away.”
Common Collocations
- brush away dust
- brush away crumbs
- brush away leaves
- brush away tears
- brush away worries
- brush away doubts
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of brush sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: You look upset. What’s wrong?
Tom: I’m worried about the presentation tomorrow.
Anna: Don’t brush your worries away. It’s okay to feel nervous.
Tom: You’re right. I should prepare more instead of ignoring it.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “brush away”:
- She ________ the dust ________ from her jacket before entering the room.
- He tried to ________ his fears ________, but they kept coming back.
- Can you ________ these crumbs ________ from the table?
FAQs
- Q: Can “brush away” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, especially when describing physical actions, but less common for figurative use. - Q: Is “brush away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “brush” and “away” or after the phrase. - Q: What is the difference between “brush away” and “wipe away”?
A: “Brush away” is for light sweeping, “wipe away” is for wiping with a cloth or hand. - Q: Can I use “brush away” for emotions?
A: Yes, it can mean ignoring or dismissing feelings or thoughts. - Q: Is “brush away” only for small things?
A: Usually yes, it implies light removal of small particles or figurative worries.
