# give someone the brush-off

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-the-brush-off
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To rebuff, snub or curtly reject someone.

## Examples

- He gave me the brush-off when I asked for help.
- I tried to talk to my neighbor, but she gave me the brush-off and walked away.
- Despite his desperate attempts to explain the misunderstanding, the manager gave him the brush-off and closed the office door.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.