brass

[bras]

brass Definition

• 1. a yellow alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals
• 2. a memorial tablet or inscribed plaque made of brass
• 3. bold self-assurance; impudence

Using brass: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "brass" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The doorknob was made of brass.

• Example

  The band played a brass instrument.

• Example

  The brass plate on the door read 'Dr. Smith'.

• Example

  He had the brass to ask for a raise after only one month on the job.

brass Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for brass

• bronze
• copper-zinc alloy
• memorial tablet
• inscribed plaque

Phrases with brass

• brass tacks

  the essentials or basic facts of a situation

  Example

  Let's get down to brass tacks and figure out how much this project is going to cost.

• brass monkey

  a metal stand used to hold cannonballs on a ship

  Example

  It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

• brass ring

  a highly desirable opportunity or prize

  Example

  Winning the championship was the brass ring for the team.

Origins of brass

from Old English 'bræs', meaning 'brass, bronze'

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Summary: brass in Brief

The term 'brass' [bras] refers to a yellow alloy of copper and zinc, as well as a memorial tablet or inscribed plaque made of brass. It can also mean bold self-assurance or impudence, as in 'He had the brass to ask for a raise after only one month on the job.' 'Brass' extends into phrases like 'brass tacks,' denoting the essentials of a situation, and 'brass ring,' meaning a highly desirable opportunity or prize.