Same verb · different particle

“brush” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 3 one at a time, then test yourself.

3 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

brush

aside off up on

brush + aside · 1 of 3

brush aside

dismiss (figurative)

brush aside sth sth

to refuse to consider something seriously, especially someone’s opinion, suggestion, or concern, by treating it as unimportant or irrelevant

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The manager brushed aside all our suggestions without even listening.

A: Did you tell your doctor about the side effects?
B: I did, but she just brushed aside my concerns and said it was normal.

Common mistake

Not: He brushed aside of their concerns.

Say: He brushed aside their concerns.

Takes the object directly — no 'of'.

More on “brush aside”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some politicians tend to brush aside public criticism, which can lead to a lack of trust in government.

Tell it apart

He brushed aside their concerns.

dismissed them as unimportant

He addressed their concerns.

took them seriously

Goes with

brush aside + objection

Practice saying this

Next: brush off

brush + off · 2 of 3

brush off

dismiss someone or something

brush sb/sth off
informal

To refuse to listen to someone or to take something seriously, treating it as unimportant.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

When I tried to talk to my manager about the problem, she just brushed me off.

A: Did you ask your brother for help?
B: Yeah, but he brushed me off and said he was too busy.

Common mistake

Not: He brushed off ~~her~~ when she tried to talk.

Say: He brushed her off when she tried to talk.

With a person/pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'brush her off'.

More on “brush off”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's important for leaders to listen to feedback rather than brushing off people's concerns.

Tell it apart

She brushed me off.

wouldn't listen to me

They brushed off the concerns.

treated them as unimportant

Goes with

brush + off (person)

Practice saying this

Next: brush up on

brush + up on · 3 of 3

brush up on

improve knowledge or skill

brush up on sth

To quickly review or practice something you already learned, so you remember it better or become more skilled.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I need to brush up on my Spanish before my trip to Mexico.

A: Are you ready for the interview?
B: Not yet. I have to brush up on some technical questions first.

Common mistake

Not: I need to brush up my Spanish.

Say: I need to brush up on my Spanish.

'Brush up ON something'.

More on “brush up on”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I had more time, I would brush up on my presentation skills to feel more confident during public speaking.

Tell it apart

brush up on French

revise something you already knew

pick up French

learn it from scratch, casually

Goes with

brush up on

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “brush” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “brush” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

brush aside brush off brush up on