Phrase guide

give someone the brush-off

verb · 1 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

To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • I asked three different clerks, and they all gave me the brush-off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.