an object made of short stiff hairs or wires set into a handle, used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting, a brief encounter with something unpleasant or notable, to touch something lightly in passing

a brush with the law, throw caution to the wind(s), make a clean sweep

brush up on, brush aside, brush off

Formal and Informal Expressions of brush

In different contexts, you can replace 'brush' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'implement, utensil' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'tool, thing' is a commonplace synonym.

brush: Explore its Definition & Usage

brush Definition

1an object made of short stiff hairs or wires set into a handle, used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2a brief encounter with something unpleasant or notable
3to touch something lightly in passing

Using brush: Examples

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

Example
She brushed her hair before leaving the house.
Example
He brushed the dirt off his pants.
Example
I had a brush with death when I was in a car accident.
Example
The company had a brush with bankruptcy last year.
Example
The bird brushed against the window and flew away.
Example
The runner brushed past the finish line just in time.

brush Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for brush

Idioms Using brush

a brush with the law
an encounter with the police or legal system
Example
He had a brush with the law when he was caught speeding.
throw caution to the wind(s)
to take a risk without worrying about the consequences
Example
She decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel the world.
make a clean sweep
to completely remove or get rid of something
Example
The new CEO made a clean sweep of the company's management team.

Phrases with brush

brush up on
to improve one's knowledge or skill in a particular subject
Example
I need to brush up on my Spanish before my trip to Mexico.
brush aside
to dismiss or ignore something or someone
Example
He brushed aside my concerns and continued with his plan.
brush off
to reject or dismiss someone or something in a rude or abrupt manner
Example
She brushed off his advances and walked away.

Origins of brush

from Old French 'brosse', meaning 'tuft of hair'

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Summary: brush in Brief

A 'brush' [brʌʃ] is an object with short stiff hairs or wires set into a handle, used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting. It can also refer to a brief encounter with something notable or unpleasant, as in 'I had a brush with death.' 'Brush' can be used in phrases like 'brush up on,' meaning to improve one's knowledge or skill, and idioms like 'make a clean sweep,' meaning to completely remove or get rid of something.