brush up

verb

1. to refresh one's knowledge, skill, or memory of (a subject)

2. to make (a person or oneself) tidy, clean, or neat as after a journey

noun

1. the act or an instance of tidying one's appearance (esp in the phrase wash and brush-up )

Idioms and Phrases

Clean, refurbish, as in We plan to get the house brushed up in time for the party . [c. 1600]

Also, brush up on . Review, refresh one's memory, as in Nell brushed up on her Spanish before going to Honduras , or I'm brushing up my knowledge of town history before I speak at the club . [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

This isn’t to say everyone needs to brush up on penmanship and stop using AI calendars.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Love and affection run past the margins, brushing up against shame and fear for a conclusion that’s akin to lingering a bit longer after a holiday dinner.

Read more on Salon

And given the new nuclear optimism, brushing up on the sector is a good idea.

Read more on Barron's

The high school students only realised they had brushed up on the wrong Roman ruler when they crossed the Rubicon to sit down for their final-year exams.

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Schoenfeld recommended that those who live in high fire risk areas brush up on evacuation plans and make sure they have a go-bag with essential items as wildfire season approaches.

Read more on Los Angeles Times