Meaning trap
brush off
refuse to listen to someone or accept something
To ignore someone or something, or to refuse to take them seriously.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To ignore someone or something, or to refuse to take them seriously.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- When I tried to talk to my manager about the problem, she just brushed me off.communication
- In my opinion, it's important for leaders to listen to feedback rather than brushing off people's concerns.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: brush (someone/something) off
WrongHe brushed off her when she tried to talk.
RightHe brushed her off when she tried to talk.
With a person/pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'brush her off'.
Patternbrush (someone/something) off
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Rebuffed her attempts at conversation' is formal; 'brushed her off' is natural and casual.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
brush + off (person)me offher offhim offthem off
Don't confuse it
'Brush off' is more dismissive than simply 'ignore'. It suggests you don't think the person or idea is important.