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

The two have brushed up against authorities in the past because of alleged violence between them.

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They've also begun to brush up on their Mandarin skills too.

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She spent quality time with her grandma who lives in China, brushed up her skills on the piano and read a stack of books.

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The lieutenant governor had called LGBTQ+ people "filth" and advocated for brushing up on Adolf Hitler quotes.

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This will require that you brush up on your fish identification skills, but it's a small price to pay for protecting our fish, saving on groceries and limiting unexpected and urgent trips to the restroom.

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