brushup

[ bruhsh-uhp ]

/ ˈbrʌʃˌʌp /

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noun

the act or process of reviewing a subject, technique, or the like, for the purpose of renewing the memory, skill, etc.: He gave his Spanish a brushup before his trip to Mexico.

the act or process of eliminating or repairing minor flaws: He gave the collection a final brushup before putting it on display.

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Origin of brushup

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase brush up

Words nearby brushup

brush pass, brushpopper, brush-tailed phalanger, brush-tailed possum, brush turkey, brushup, brushwood, brushwork, brushy, brusque, brusquely

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for brushup

brush up

verb (adverb)

(tr often foll by on) to refresh one's knowledge, skill, or memory of (a subject)

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

noun brush-up

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with brushup

brush up

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]