brush-off

American  

[bruhsh-awf, -of] / ˈbrʌʃˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

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

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brush off British  

verb

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

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noun

1. an abrupt dismissal or rejection

brush off Idioms  

1. 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).

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Etymology

Origin of brush-off

1945–50, noun use of verb phrase brush off

Example Sentences

"I was told that things would be looked into. It was very vague. It was a brush-off."

From BBC

“You’re not on the list,” he was told twice by a Troubadour doorman, and given the brush-off.

From Los Angeles Times

Critics say the brush-off is a bad look for the leader of the free world and hurts U.S. diplomatic relations.

From Washington Times

Border experts were stunned by the president’s brush-off.

From Washington Times

She's not, of course, and both her initial brush-off of Nori as well as her rush to say a wrenching farewell at the last moment are the most painfully real parts of this hour.

From Salon