Phrase guide

brush down

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see brush, down. To remove something with a brush, or ones hands using a downward brushing motion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To straighten up one's clothes and to tidy up one's appearance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • After tripping over, he picked himself up, brushed himself down, and carried on walking.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

reprimand

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She told the misbehaving student off

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tell off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.