brush-off

[bruhsh-awf, -of]

noun

1. a refusal to talk or listen to someone; abrupt or final dismissal or rebuff.

brush off

verb

1. to dismiss and ignore (a person), esp curtly

noun

1. an abrupt dismissal or rejection

Word History and Origins

Origin of brush-off¹

1945–50, noun use of verb phrase brush off

Idioms and Phrases

Dismiss or rebuff, as in Roberta brushed off the poor reviews with a shrug, or You can't brush off a boyfriend and expect him to do you a favor. This expression, transferring sweeping off crumbs to a curt dismissal, was first recorded about 1820. However, it became common usage only in the 1930s. Also see give someone the air (brush off).