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[brush off] or
[give the brush off] {v. phr.} 1. To refuse to hear or believe; quickly and
impatiently; not take seriously or think important.
John brushed off Bill's
warning that he might fall from the tree.
I said that it might rain and to
take the bus, but Joe gave my idea the brush off.
Father cut his finger but he
brushed it off as not important and kept working.
2. {informal} To be
unfriendly to; not talk or pay attention to (someone); get rid of.
Mary brushed
off Bill at the dance.
I said hello to Mr. Smith, but he gave me the
brush off.
Compare: COLD SHOULDER, HIGH-HAT. Contrast: GET THE BRUSH OFF.
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