brush up
To review; to improve an existing but rusty or underdeveloped skill.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to brush up on my Spanish before the trip.”
“Since I have not played the piano in years, I should brush up on my technique before the performance.”
“The professor decided to brush up on his knowledge of ancient history before delivering the guest lecture to the graduate students.”
- 01
broad brush
A style or approach that deals with something in very general, sweeping terms, without attention to fine details or subtle nuances.
- 02
brush aside
To disregard, dismiss or ignore something, as unimportant.
- 03
brush by
To walk past another person, touching them slightly, normally by accident, and ignoring them.
- 04
brush down
To straighten up one's clothes and to tidy up one's appearance.
- 05
brush off
To disregard (something), to dismiss or ignore (someone), as unimportant.
- 06
live over the brush
To cohabit without being married.
- 07
paint with a broad brush
To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.
Last updated August 10, 2026