brush aside — dismiss (figurative)
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
to refuse to consider something seriously, especially someone’s opinion, suggestion, or concern, by treating it as unimportant or irrelevant
Say it like a native
Textbook He peremptorily disregarded their objections as inconsequential.
Native He just brushed aside their objections.
'Peremptorily disregarded as inconsequential' is formal; 'brush aside' is the natural verb.
Pattern: brush aside + noun (idea/concern/suggestion/criticism)
In use
- The manager brushed aside all our suggestions without even listening.communication
- Some politicians tend to brush aside public criticism, which can lead to a lack of trust in government.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He brushed aside of their concerns.
✓ He brushed aside their concerns.
Takes the object directly — no 'of'.
Common collocations
brush aside + objection— concerns, objections, criticism, questions
Don't confuse it
Unlike the literal meaning of 'brush aside' (to physically move something out of the way), this sense is figurative and refers to dismissing ideas or concerns, not objects.