brush aside: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Slightly formal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “brush aside” mean?
To dismiss someone or something as unimportant or unworthy of attention.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To dismiss someone or something as unimportant or unworthy of attention.
To refuse to consider a suggestion, criticism, or obstacle; to figuratively sweep it away as if with a brush.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both variants are equally common and used identically.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “brush aside” in a Sentence
[Subject] + brush aside + [Object: Noun Phrase][Subject] + brush aside + [Object: Wh-clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brush aside” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister brushed aside the journalist's question about the scandal.
- He has a tendency to brush aside any advice he doesn't like.
American English
- The manager brushed aside the employee's safety concerns.
- She brushed aside the negative reviews and published her book anyway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The CEO brushed aside shareholder concerns about the merger.
Academic
Early researchers brushed aside anecdotal evidence, focusing only on quantitative data.
Everyday
She brushed aside my offer to help, insisting she could manage alone.
Technical
The engineer brushed aside the safety warning, leading to the system failure.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brush aside”
- Confusing with 'brush off' (very similar, but often more personal/casual). Using 'brush aside' for physical movement (e.g., 'He brushed aside the branches' is literal, not phrasal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can say 'He brushed my concerns aside' or 'He brushed aside my concerns.'
They are very close synonyms. 'Brush off' can feel slightly more informal and is often used for personal rebuffs (e.g., brushing someone off). 'Brush aside' can sound slightly more formal and is common with objections or arguments.
Rarely. It typically carries a negative connotation of dismissing something that perhaps should have been considered. A positive spin might be 'brushing aside distractions to focus.'
Yes, but less frequently than simple tenses. E.g., 'He is constantly brushing aside our suggestions.'
To dismiss someone or something as unimportant or unworthy of attention.
Brush aside is usually slightly formal to neutral in register.
Brush aside: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrʌʃ əˈsaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrəʃ əˈsaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To brush something under the carpet/rug (related, meaning to hide a problem).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person literally using a brush to sweep a small object (like a piece of paper with a complaint written on it) off a table and onto the floor, ignoring it completely.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/CRITICISMS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS (that can be swept away).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'brush aside' CORRECTLY?