What is brush off? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of brush off

brush offphrasal verb
gạt bỏ
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Where does the word brush off come from?

The phrase "brush off" first appeared in the early 20th century, originally as a nautical term. It referred to the motion of sweeping away water or foam from the deck of a ship using a large, stiff brush. This action was necessary to prevent the accumulation of unwanted material from causing damage or slipperiness underfoot. As the usage of this phrase expanded beyond the maritime context, "brush off" came to signify a dismissive gesture or attitude, characterized by a swift and almost perfunctory rejection or denial. This meaning can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when it was incorporated into common usage as an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of dismissing a person or situation insincerely or superficially.

Example of vocabulary brush offnamespace

The director brushed off the critic's complaints about the movie's pacing, insisting that it was intended to be a slow burn.
The salesperson tried to brush off the customer's concerns about the product's quality, mouthing empty promises of a money-back guarantee.
When the team leader suggested that they needed to reassess their strategy, the boss brushed him off, dismissing the idea as a waste of time.
Despite the winds picking up, the surfer brushed off warnings to come in, determined to catch a few more waves.
The athlete brushed off questions about her recent form, insisting that she was in the best shape of her life.