Brush It Off: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：Ignore it (Brush it off)

Brush it off 🔊

/brʌʃ ɪt ɒf/

phr.v.

To ignore or not worry about something, especially criticism or a minor issue.

Person brushing off imaginary dust after ignoring criticism in cafe

Ignore it 🔊

➕

/ɪɡˈnɔːr ɪt/

phr.v.

To consciously choose not to let something, such as criticism or a minor problem, affect your emotions or actions.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Brush (lightly touch/remove) + it + off (away) → metaphorically remove a problem from mind.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine dust on your shoulder; just brush it away and keep walking—don’t let it bother you.

📖 Example

When his teammate accidentally bumped into him, he just brushed it off with a laugh and kept playing. 🔊 When his teammate accidentally bumped into him, he just brushed it off with a laugh and kept playing.

🔗 Collocations

brush off criticism – to ignore criticism

brush off an insult – to ignore an insult

brush off a suggestion – to dismiss a suggestion

🔄 Synonyms

dismiss (v.) – to decide that something is not important enough to consider

shrug off (phr.v.) – to treat something as unimportant and not let it affect you

ignore (v.) – to pay no attention to something

🚫 Antonyms

take to heart (phr.) – to be very upset or affected by criticism

dwell on (phr.v.) – to think or talk about something for too long

heed (v.) – to pay attention to advice or a warning

🌱 Derivatives

brush-off (n.) – an act of ignoring or dismissing someone

📖 Cultural Story

This phrase likely comes from the physical act of brushing dust or dirt off clothing. In modern use, it is common in workplaces and sports to describe ignoring criticism or setbacks.