brush off — dismiss as unimportant
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
To treat a problem, idea, or criticism as if it is not worth serious attention, often in order to minimize its significance.
Say it like a native
Textbook She dismissively minimised the significance of the criticism.
Native She brushed off the criticism.
'Dismissively minimised the significance' is wordy; 'brushed off' carries it in two words.
Pattern: brush off + noun (concern/criticism/suggestion/complaint)
In use
- The company tried to brush off the environmental concerns raised by the community.argumentation
- Some governments tend to brush off public criticism, which can undermine trust and accountability.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She brushed away the criticism.
✓ She brushed off the criticism. / She brushed the criticism off.
For dismissing, it's 'brush OFF', not 'brush away'.
Common collocations
brush off + criticism— criticism, concerns, the rumours, it
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense ('ignore someone'), this sense focuses on minimizing the importance of an idea, problem, or criticism, not simply ignoring a person.
Related
- brush off (refuse to listen to someone or accept something) — 'brush off' also has the more basic meaning 'refuse to listen to someone or accept something'; this is the advanced sense.