dust off

1. Restore to use. For example, I've dusted off last year's menu for the party . This usage alludes to cleaning and thereby renewing some object. [Mid-1900s]

2. Pitch a baseball dangerously close to the batter's head, as in I'm sure he dusted him off on purpose . [ Slang ; 1920s]

3. Finish off, kill; also, easily defeat. For example, They vowed to dust off the old man , or We'll dust off this team in no time . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

4. Thrash, beat up, as in If he didn't hand over his wallet, they threatened to dust him off . [ Slang ; 1920s]

Example Sentences

Studios can dust off a movie they already own and create hype through marketing.

From Los Angeles Times

Never fear, Strictly Come Dancing is back with its 23rd series, with 15 new contestants ready to dust off their dancing shoes.

From BBC

If you wipe the dust off and think back, you’ll probably remember them for hits like “Grindin’” or “When the Last Time,” both produced by the Neptunes — another duo, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo — and both off of their debut, “Lord Willin’.”

From Los Angeles Times

"But that is surely the best way of blowing the dust off this national treasure."

From BBC

It might even be time to dust off the BBQ and apply the sunscreen.

From BBC

Related Words

• assassinate 
• behead 
• butcher 
• decapitate 
• destroy 
• execute 
• exterminate 
• lynch 
• massacre 
• shoot 
• slaughter 
• slay 
• strangle