The Village Idiom

brush aside

"Brush aside" means to disregard or dismiss something or someone without giving it much attention or consideration.

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In a sentence

  • She brushed aside his concerns and continued with her plan.
  • The CEO brushed aside the criticisms from the shareholders and reassured them of the company's future success.
  • Despite his injury, the athlete brushed aside the pain and pushed through to win the race.

Where it comes from and how it is used

Lastly, we have the idiom "give someone the brush-off." This idiom is a colloquial expression that means to reject or dismiss someone in a rude or abrupt manner. It suggests a lack of respect or consideration for the person being brushed off. For example, if someone asks for a favor and is met with a curt response like, "I don't have time for that," they have been given the brush-off. This idiom emphasizes the negative interpersonal aspect of dismissing or disregarding someone.

The idiom "brush aside" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of dismissing or disregarding something or someone without giving it proper consideration or attention. It can be used in various contexts and carries connotations of indifference or lack of interest. Alongside related idioms such as "brush off," "sweep aside," and "give someone the brush-off," it adds richness and depth to the English language by capturing different nuances of dismissal and disregard.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.