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
Idioms Using brush
Example
He had a brush with the law when he was caught speeding.
Example
She decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel the world.
Example
The new CEO made a clean sweep of the company's management team.
Phrases with brush
Example
I need to brush up on my Spanish before my trip to Mexico.
Example
He brushed aside my concerns and continued with his plan.
Example
She brushed off his advances and walked away.
Origins of brush
from Old French 'brosse', meaning 'tuft of hair'
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.
