What are the definitions of “dust off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To bring something back into use or action, especially after a period of neglect or inactivity.
Prepare to dust off your old jokes.
- 2To clean or remove dust from something.
Would you dust off the shelves?
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “dust off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb dust off is to clean or remove dust from something, such as furniture, shelves, or objects. It can also mean to bring something back into use or action, especially after a period of neglect or inactivity.
What are the different verb forms of “dust off”?
| Root Verb | dust off |
| Third Person Singular Present | dusts off |
| Present Participle | dusting off |
| Simple Past | dusted off |
| Past Participle | dusted off |
Example
I need to dust off the old photo albums.
Example
She dusts off the furniture every week.
Example
He is dusting off the bookshelves in the living room.
Example
Yesterday, they dusted off the old bicycle in the garage.
Example
The antique vase was carefully dusted off before being displayed.
What kind of phrasal verb is “dust off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“dust off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She dusted off the old piano.
Example
He dusted the shelves off before putting the books back.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“dust off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She dusted off the old piano.
Example
He dusted the shelves off before putting the books back.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “dust off”?
Good things to know
Does “dust off” have an informal or formal tone?
Dust off is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, when discussing cleaning tasks or household chores, it has a neutral tone. However, when used metaphorically to describe bringing something back into use or action, it can have a more informal tone.
