| 释义 |
noun brʌʃbrəʃ 1An implement with a handle and a block of bristles, hair, or wire, used especially for cleaning, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, or arranging the hair. Example sentencesExamples - Imagine, if you will, an artist loading a brush with paint, applying it to the canvas, and then waiting a week to see what it looks like.
- There is a move from detailed images made with small brushes to ones broadly handled in increasingly thick, tacky paint.
- She dabbed a brush in a beige powder and brushed Cassie's cheeks.
- He nodded towards the bowl of dirty brown liquid they'd used to clean their paint-soaked brushes.
- Next, apply the sealer according to manufacturer's instructions with a brush, broom or paint roller.
- After she has dressed, the Queen's hairdresser brushes and arranges her hair in the familiar royal style.
- Continue working with a brush and blow-dryer until hair is dry.
- She picked up her brush and brushed her hair until all the tangles came out.
- Male pattern baldness is not due to the shampoo one uses or because of wearing a helmet, or hat, or because a person brushes or rubs his hair very often.
- I like to apply it with a powder brush rather than the puff it comes with.
- Using a pastry brush, paint the beaten eggs over the surface of each piece of rice paper.
- Wet the brush bristles thoroughly, and work in the shampoo or wash.
- Don't comb with a bristle brush when your hair is wet, because it can pull hair out more quickly.
- In each case the slip was most likely applied with a brush or other implement, rather than being trailed in liquid form from a slip cup.
- ‘Students were told to contribute money for the purchase of brooms, mops, brushes and paint for the contest,’ he said.
- I ran a brush through my hair quickly and applied the slightest bit of makeup so that I didn't look quite as ragged as I felt since the long day after not sleeping.
- She dipped it into the glass of water that was beside it and then put the bristles of the brush into the red paint that lay spilt on the floor.
- Interdental brushes are small, specially designed brushes for cleaning between the teeth.
- He takes a small brush and brushes the powder over the keypad.
- Clean the brushes using paint thinner, if you used oil-based, or soap and water if you used latex.
Synonyms broom, sweeper, besom, whisk, sweeping brush hairbrush, clothes brush, scrubbing brush, toothbrush, paintbrush - 1.1 An act of sweeping, applying, or arranging with a brush or with one's hand.
Example sentencesExamples - A light brush of green eye shadow accented her light, blue eyes very nicely.
- Two of the retired sheepdogs from the neighbouring farm occasionally come to visit us, and we make them welcome, give them a stroke or a brush and a few dog biscuits.
- All it takes is a single brush of color across the lids or under the eyes or a touch at the outer corners.
- A final brush of powder over DiCaprio's nose, a dip inside the corner of his eye, and it's take three.
- There is a bit more than an inch of brushy area on toothbrushes, so a tube should provide 113 liberal brushes.
Synonyms clean, sweep, wipe, dust, mop
2A light and fleeting touch. the lightest brush of his lips against her cheek Example sentencesExamples - You would agree and yet still press yourself against me for a brush of the lips.
- He leaned forward and kissed her forehead - a brotherly brush of his lips against her skin, no more.
- She didn't say a word, nor even touch me any more than a brush against my neck.
- The most delicate of glances, a mere brush of the forehead, was all that was needed to redirect it into the far corner of the net.
- If he could make her heart race like that with just a light brush of fingertips along her cheek, she was afraid of losing herself completely in any other touch.
- I like to feel fingers immersing themselves in my hair and the gentlest brush of the fingers on my neck - invisibly marking my skin for pleasing later.
- When they see a person they like eye contact or a light brush of the hand passing is used to indicate interest.
- Wyn felt the gentle brush of his lips against hers, and shut her eyes, melting into the kiss.
- I didn't even think about it until I felt the brush of his lips against my palm as his mouth closed in surprise.
- She blushed as he came to, rounding her final swing into a delicate brush of his face with her fingertips.
- I felt a gentle brush of lips against mine and I jumped back, hitting my head on the stone.
- The car kept interpreting the lightest brush of foot against pedal as an invitation to perform an emergency stop.
- The brush of lips quickly turned into something completely different-more urgent and hungry.
- During some unknown time, a brush against his shoulder awakened him to his surroundings.
- It was more like a slight brush of lips - it would have been a kiss if it weren't for Sean though.
- She shut her eyes and wished Daiju and Suku were with her until she felt a light brush against her forehead.
- Grabbing the bottles from the cashier, she walked past him with a simple brush in the shoulder.
- Without a word, he inclined his head and kissed said mouth softly, barely more than a brush of the lips.
- Another brush of his lips over her knuckles, and then he turned his horse about.
- Stepping closer to carefully wind it around her shoulders, the light brush of his fingers against her skin was enough to send a shiver through her.
Synonyms touch, stroke, skim, graze, glance, rub, shave, pat, nudge, contact kiss informal swipe - 2.1 A brief encounter with someone or something unpleasant or notable.
Example sentencesExamples - His brief brush with crime came early yesterday morning while he was attending the annual UWI Splash fête at Bowen Marine, Chaguaramas.
- He has already had a brush with cancer in the past and obviously is now encountering another serious health problem.
- Political leaders and heads of state last night paid tribute to a commanding figure who survived both an assassination attempt and a brush with cancer during his time in the Oval Office.
- Tonight, trouble for the president's twin daughters: a brush with the law makes front-page headlines.
- The signs, however, are that no matter how polite or mutual the rules of engagement, his brush with the spikier side of his best friend has left him somewhat cowed.
- The incident is the second brush with the law for Simpson since he moved to Kendall, 15 miles from Miami, last year.
- Survivor's guilt maybe, that my brush with the disease was ultimately brief and in the great scheme of things something of a non-starter.
- Perhaps their closest brush with death was when a helicopter they had been due to travel in crashed into base camp, killing two people and injuring 11.
- Then there is a therapy service, Aftercare, to treat people who have been traumatised by their brief brush with fame.
- Any strange brushes with celebrities while you were down in the LA recording the new album?
- After a brief brush with academia, he slipped into the life of a freelance writer, producing company histories, TV scripts and a bit of Emmerdale.
- My brief brush with knitting lasted long enough to make a scarf for my little sister's Barbie (yes, that's how many moons ago it was).
- Miller and Bennett continued their scholarly interests well after their brief brush with the satire revolution.
- It wasn't the first time that Gomez had experienced a brush with death.
- Doctor Ink experienced a recent brush with celebrity, and almost became a newsmaker in the process.
- But a brush with the new authorities can mean a familiar encounter over identity cards and threats.
- He talks to others who had a brush with disaster fighting fires and rock-climbing in the Blue Mountains.
- He said his brush with death and daily fight for fitness forced him to re-evaluate his goals and gave him a renewed zest for life and work.
- La Haye plays a deep-sea diver who suffers a memory lapse after surviving a brush with death in India.
- Martin says that his brush with death has left him with a determination to make the next Coldplay album the not only their best yet, but the ‘best album of all time’.
Synonyms encounter, clash, confrontation, collision, conflict altercation, skirmish, wrangle, scuffle, tussle, fight, battle, engagement, feud, quarrel, incident, to-do informal run-in, scrap, set-to, argy-bargy British informal spot of bother British informal, Football afters
3The bushy tail of a fox. Example sentencesExamples - Shortly after the tragic incident people started to notice that every night a large fox with a black brush would come and lay across the old woman's grave.
- But the tail, drooping down the side of the shrine, is long and straight; and club-shaped at the tip, more like the brush of a fox than the curved tail of a dog, which is normally carried in an upright position rather than low down like that of a jackal, wolf, or fox.
- Not a muzzle or a brush of a fox is to be seen.
Synonyms tail, tailpiece scut, dock 4usually brushesA drumstick with long wire bristles, used to make a soft hissing sound on drums or cymbals. Example sentencesExamples - The bass on the piano was heavily distorted and the drum brushes were too heavy.
- It's just amazing what the man can do with a pair of brushes, a snare and a single ride cymbal.
- A wide variety of drumsticks, including hard sticks, soft mallets, and brushes, is used.
- He created original sounds from his cymbals and skins using sticks, brushes, and even his hands.
- The sound is almost like brushes on a snare drum.
5A piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact with a moving part in a motor or alternator. Example sentencesExamples - You remember the old motors used to have those brushes and sparks, that smell of ozone?
- I realize that the brushes, which transfer the electric current, are probably the key, but come on!
- There are no expensive moving parts such as brushes, bearings, belts and pulleys to regularly maintain or replace.
- Thus, pump life has been limited by the wear of the brushes in conventional brush-type motors.
- It's a wonderful piece of machinery; brushes and tubes fit together perfectly.
6Australian NZ informal mass noun Girls or women regarded sexually. ‘Beer first, brush later.’
verb brʌʃbrəʃ [with object]1with adverbial Remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing. we'll be able to brush the mud off easily Example sentencesExamples - Desiree walked to one of the windows, and tried to brush the dust out of it.
- He squeezed under the bucket and began to brush the dirt away.
- ‘So far, we have found five skeletons in this pit,’ he added, carefully brushing the dirt from a left femur.
- He carefully brushed dirt and grit away from the skeleton he was unearthing with a tiny, soft-haired brush.
- With extreme care he began to brush away dust from the stones on the floor of what he knew was a tomb.
Synonyms sweep, clean, buff, scrub - 1.1 Use a brush or one's hand to remove dust or dirt from (something)
she brushed down her best coat Example sentencesExamples - He could have kept that in the dressing room, brushed himself down, come out afterwards and accepted one defeat.
- In a flash we had jumped up and brushed ourselves down.
- Putting a brave face on it, I picked myself up, brushed myself down and carried on to school, buckled front wheel wobbling like a clown's car.
- He stands up, brushes the dirt from himself, and waddles up to her with a huge grin on his face.
- Charmian stood and brushed herself down, a serious, practical face on.
- Malachi tried to look impassive as he struggled to his feet and brushed himself down.
- He looked at Simeon as the latter picked himself up and brushed himself down, shooting his enemy a triumphant smirk as he did so.
- The Chief picked himself off the floor and brushed himself down.
- Standing up, she brushed herself down and looked to her left.
- I said through giggles, as I pulled him from Travis, who brushed himself down and looked up from his seat.
- He brushed the dust from his blue waistcoat and wiped his aviator sunglasses on the hem of his shirt.
- Marshall got up, brushed himself down, grabbed his case, and walked to the door.
Synonyms sweep, clean, buff, scrub - 1.2 Clean (one's teeth) with a brush.
Example sentencesExamples - As long as the clothes are clean and his teeth are brushed, he's kind to others and he stays out of jail - it'll be okay.
- She taught me about what her grooming needs would be, everything from cleaning her face to brushing her teeth.
- I changed into a long t-shirt and clean underwear and then brushed my teeth, washed my face, and combed my hair.
- But she needs her teeth brushed and claws clipped on a regular basis!
- I had put on my clothes, brushed my teeth, fixed my hair and cleaned up my room a little before they came back upstairs.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth at least four times a day (after meals and at bedtime).
- After showering, brushing my teeth and putting on clean clothes I unlocked the shower door and headed to the hospital wing.
- I kicked off my covers and ran into the bathroom, brushed my teeth and cleaned myself off.
- When she finished, she dressed into her clean clothes and brushed her teeth.
- Call if you would like to be taught how to clean and brush your child's teeth and gums.
- Physical removal of the bacteria through brushing or wiping the teeth is still necessary.
- We were fortunate in that The Hog loved having his teeth brushed and it was never necessary to take him to the vet to have them done under anaesthetic, as is usual.
- The teeth and tongue should be kept clean by brushing twice daily.
- I finished brushing my teeth and wiped the steamy mirror so I could see my reflection.
- Soon, we finished eating and Halley took Isabella upstairs to change into her pajamas and brush her teeth as I cleaned up the kitchen.
- I scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth, grabbed my bag and ran out the door at 8.01, only one minute late!
- After showering, I brushed my teeth and cleaned the rest of last night's make up off my eyes.
- The vet will be able to tell you how to brush the dog's teeth, how to clean his ears as well as how to clip toenails.
- Power failures seem to be the order of the day as they have become as routine as brushing one's teeth every morning.
- For three weeks I didn't bathe (except for the occasional wet wipe), brush my teeth or comb my hair.
- 1.3 Arrange (one's hair) by running a brush through it.
she carefully made up her face and brushed her long auburn hair Example sentencesExamples - Avery picked up a comb and continued brushing her hair straight.
- You are not allowed to brush your hair or adjust your bed-head ponytail!
- I furiously brushed my hair smooth after my run up to my room.
- Peeking through the window, the prince saw the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, wearing a dress of golden satin and brushing out her lustrous hair.
- An Afro or wide-toothed comb is ideal for brushing tightly curled black hair.
- Lena stepped nervously into the classroom, smoothing her jeans the best she could, and brushing the long brown hairs from her black top.
- Pulling on a pair of trousers, and brushing damp freshly-washed hair out of my eyes, I tried to work out what they'd got me for.
- She brushed a long auburn hair away from her face and pursed cherry red lips.
- But I needed to know who it was so I pulled out a comb and brushed my hair forward a little and put it to the side.
- To pass the time, she busied herself arranging Cecily's nightdress and brushing her hair.
- Humming quietly to herself, Sarah got out a comb and brushed her hair.
- She sat down across from him behind her desk, taking out a comb and brushing her long blonde hair.
- Each evening, she sat in a chair on the balcony, brushing her long auburn hair while watching the sun set over the ocean.
- Mika walked over to her clothes that were wet and now dry in her bag and took out a comb and brushed her hair into mid length wavy locks.
- She hurried down, to shoo it off Zed's doona, guiltily brushing away imaginary hairs.
- She pulled her favourite hairbrush out of the top right-hand drawer and started brushing her long auburn hair.
- She brushed her hair smooth, and at that turned to the door and walked down the hall.
- Use a boar's head or similar type of high quality styling tool to brush all hair smoothly back from the forehead.
- He also liked having his hair brushed, he would hoot and grunt as mom combed it every morning.
- I pulled out a comb and brushed my hair, it was difficult to pull the knots out but I was able too.
Synonyms groom, comb, neaten, tidy, make neat/tidy, smarten, smooth, arrange, fix, adjust, preen, primp, do, titivate curry - 1.4 Apply a liquid to (a surface) with a brush.
brush the potatoes with oil Example sentencesExamples - Brush the potatoes with a little melted butter or dripping.
- The first is for the marinating process and the other is to brush on the meat while grilling.
- The mercury was applied by vigorously brushing it onto the surface of the metal.
- Once the pan is hot, brush the roast with the olive oil, and sear on all sides, approximately 8 to 10 minutes total cooking time.
- There are also many proprietary liquids and pastes that have a disagreeable taste and can be brushed onto surfaces that the horse favours.
2no object Touch lightly and gently. stems of grass brush against her legs their fingers brushed as she took the glass from him Example sentencesExamples - Mark stood at the panel, his fingers brushing lightly against the self destruct button.
- I felt his fingers brush against my cheeks, like he was holding my face in his hands.
- Slowly, he let his fingers drift down to brush against Jake's, and he gave the smallest smile.
- Suddenly, Larken felt icy fingers brush against her face and neck.
- Leo's fingers brush against mine as he pulls the gun from me.
- She brushed past him, fingers working at the clasp of her deep green cloak.
- I remember because she used to tap me gently on the head with her elbow whenever she brushed past me, just because I was the right height for it.
- Every time his hand would gently brush against mine, I trembled inside.
- As he helps me his fingers brush against my skin sending shivers through me.
- The tips of my fingers brush against a bundle of money in my right pocket and I turn, heading towards the door.
- Raphael stretched his fingers out and they brushed against hers lightly.
- She stepped closer and her tapered fingers brushed lightly against the tender skin beneath his eye.
- Lexi patted Jordan's cheek lightly and then brushed past him, so she could make her way towards his room.
- Slowly, she brought a tremulous hand up, starting as she felt her fingers brush against her cheek.
- Jenna fumbled a moment with Allison's tie and she reached up to help her, their fingers brushing together gently.
- Lia tilted her head to the side, allowing his fingers to brush against her cheek, lightly.
- She smiled, her fingers brushing lightly over the pictured faces.
- I gently brushed past them and walked to the side of the stage.
- Then she felt James' lips on her skin… just lightly touching and brushing against her forehead.
- All I did was give her a glance as I brushed past her and made for the front door.
Synonyms touch, stroke, caress, skim, sweep, graze, shave, glance, contact, flick, scrape kiss - 2.1with object Push (something) away with a quick movement of the hand.
she brushed a wisp of hair away from her face Example sentencesExamples - She pushed the feeling away from her heart while she brushed Darren's fringe away from his eyes.
- He used his hands constantly, poking the air, dragging a thumb across his eyebrow, brushing a fly from his cheek.
- One of the tears fell down my face, and I brushed it away with an annoyed sweep of my hand.
- She reached up to push them away, but before she could Brandon brushed them away for her and tucked them behind her ear.
- He pushed down the hood on her cloak, and then brushed the hair away from her ears.
- She dragged him to the door, all the while brushing his hands away from her hair.
- Eave breathed out and stepped back, carefully pushing one of Raine's plaits behind her shoulder, brushing a loose strand away from her face.
- He quickly pushed that thought away, and brushed some stray locks of hair from her face.
- She gave him a wry smile, brushing her hair away from her face into a quick bun.
- He brushed a strand of hair from her face and pushed it gently behind her ear.
- Pulling back the covers he laid her in and pulled the covers up over her before brushing the hair from her face and pressing a quick kiss to her unresponsive lips.
- She brushed a tear from her eye and quick replaced the letters and the sack and waited for Tracey to return.
- Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose and brushing his hair out of his eyes, his name tag shown under the one light of the room, bearing the name ‘Kevin’.
- Gold-brown hair fell into her eyes and he pushed it back, brushing it behind her ear, and cupping her cheek in his hand.
- In a habitual movement of his hand he brushed his hair from his forehead then replaced it gently to the piano.
Synonyms push, move, sweep, clear, clean, remove
Phrases informal Very silly or foolish. the bright, cheeky lad is daft as a brush Example sentencesExamples - I must have been as daft as a brush to get in this position.
- He has an American bulldog which is as daft as a brush.
- The general consensus was that I was mad as a brush.
- I wasn't the class clown but I was daft as a brush.
- He's daft as a brush but he should never change.
- Of course, she's also clearly mad as a brush.
- They would be as daft as a brush not to accept free shares.
- He was the prankster in the dressing room and his former manager once fondly referred to him as being "daft as a brush".
- I took my hosts' dog—a gorgeous cocker spaniel, daft as a brush—for a long walk.
- Kate is as daft as a brush and I love her for it.
Phrasal Verbs brush someone/something aside Dismiss someone or something curtly and confidently. he brushed aside attacks on his policies Example sentencesExamples - That mindset makes it easy to ignore the facts or brush them aside because ‘the facts ‘aren't really facts, at least not as most of us understand them.
- She took a moment to reflect on what she must look like, and did a mental shrug, brushing the subject aside.
- The ‘because I say so’ attitude of old seems to be disappearing - largely because street-wise, confident children are brushing it aside, demanding to be given the rationale behind requests.
- Leila brushed his words aside with a light laugh.
- The girl laughed, brushing the mild insult aside.
- I brushed the idea aside and tried to forget about it.
- She had taken her prospectus to a colleague, but he dismissed the idea, brushing it aside with ‘the industry is too broad.’
- Sure, one can have an opinion, but it can be brushed aside, shrugged off - it's just your point of view, after all.
- I brushed the thought aside and ignored the feeling in my stomach.
- In fact I brushed it aside with the merest of shrugs and am tentatively starting to believe that I may actually finish this house before I retire, if that isn't too daringly optimistic.
Synonyms disregard, ignore, dismiss, shrug off, pass over, put aside, sweep aside, wave aside
(of a pitcher) force a batter to step back to avoid being hit by a ball pitched close to the body. Example sentencesExamples - Baseball is all about pitching inside and trying to brush the batter back off the plate.
- And on top of that, the pitcher would think twice about trying to brush the batter back off the plate.
- I would have brushed him back off the plate a couple of times.
brush someone/something off Dismiss someone or something in an abrupt way. the judge brushed off his pleas for leniency Example sentencesExamples - The letter said staff complaints about Blair were brushed off by journalism school officials, and many complaints were not filed because of a fear that speaking out against Blair would undermine favour with the journalism school.
- On visits to Washington, Chancellor Schroeder was brushed off, while the French were openly vilified.
- He then went up to her and tried to start a conversation but she brushed him off and ignored him.
- She also felt really flattered that he liked her so much as to forgive her for brushing him off and rejecting him.
- The Japanese didn't buy it, brushed it off and dismissed it.
- My ex tried to talk to the bitch woman after the game, but she at first ignored him and then brushed him off, saying that parents who complain are problems she doesn't have time for.
- Well, all morning - you've been ignoring me and brushing me off.
- This has been going on for so many years but we will not be brushed off.
- I stood to face him, and he was brushing me off, trying to avoid my eyes.
- When MPs such as Alex Salmond asked about UN authorisation for air strikes against Afghanistan, their concern was brushed off as a pettifogging detail rather than an understandable concern.
Synonyms rebuff, dismiss, spurn, reject, repudiate, refuse, disown, slight, deny, scorn, disdain
Touch fleetingly and in passing. she brushed past him to leave the room Example sentencesExamples - His jaw drops, the cameraman giggles and I brush past him and head into the store.
- I brush past her and finally come into the study.
- As the door closed, I felt a cool breeze brush past me.
- Or maybe I'll see one of them around in the street, as a passer-by, perhaps in twenty years time; and I'll brush past them, not noticing who they are.
- I felt something brush past me; a phantom presence.
- Pixie glanced at her and was about to brush past her when she continued on, ‘How do you feel about your father's case.’
- As I had my eyes closed, I could hear the sounds, I heard the sounds of crows cawing nearby, and I felt wings brush past my hands and feet so often.
- Have you ever been tapped on the shoulder when no-one is there, or sometimes can you feel some-one brush past you, again when no-one is there?
- Shaking the ache out of my hand and pretending not to heed my momentarily stupefied foe, I brush past him, taking advantage of his disbelief.
- I brush past some onlookers too scared to get their hair wet and step outside.
- He picked up his suitcase and tried to brush past her.
- They brush past me; some giving me strange looks as to why I've stopped where I've stopped, no one actually stopping alongside.
- But, I heard the horse brush past some branches, and I opened my eyes - the horse had gone through the trees just fine.
- She tried to brush past him but he grabbed her wrist.
- Adam felt him brush past and glanced towards him.
- Marjoline squeaked, trying to brush past her, but Jacquiline barred the way with her arm and put Marjoline back in her place with only a slight nudge.
- I often see people coming to take a sprig for their Sunday roast lamb - others just brush past it or crush a sprig between their fingers.
- Grace rolled her eyes as she stood up, ‘this isn't even your apartment,’ she tried to brush past him to the door but he wouldn't let her.
- Scented geraniums release their fragrances to the air only when you touch them or brush past.
- I tried to brush past her, but she was blocking my way.
brush up on (or brush something up) Improve one's existing knowledge or skill in a particular area. brush up on your telephone skills Example sentencesExamples - I hope the Rev is brushing up on his acting skills.
- Perhaps your reading comprehension skills need a little brushing up on.
- Drivers are being offered a chance to brush up on their skills in a six-week course.
- Our Mr. Hunter needs brushing up on his profiling skills,’ Shanelle teased back jumping into the conversation.
- These camps keep children amused while allowing them to brush up on their acting skills, the backstroke or learn to play a sport.
- He has obviously been brushing up on a number of skills - his encyclopedic memory of what goes on in the Robert McDougall Gallery - in order to get ready for the new job that he will need, come 2005.
- Returning to work will be daunting enough, getting used to the new equipment, brushing up on your skills and having very little clothes up to date.
- Marion took a part-time job at Guaranteed Trust on Lonsdale Avenue, while at the same time brushing up on her business skills in evening classes at Lucas School.
- If I were him, I'd start brushing up on my typing skills.
- He said the bus also offered fun materials for brushing up on reading, writing and maths skills.
Synonyms revise, read up, go over, refresh one's memory of, relearn, cram, study, learn
Origin Middle English: noun from Old French broisse; verb partly from Old French brosser 'to sweep'. broom from Old English: Old English brōm was the name of the shrub. Of Germanic origin, it is related to Old English bramble. The name was applied to an implement for sweeping in Middle English when it was made of broom, heather, or similar twigs. The history of brush (Middle English) is not so clear, but both the brush for sweeping and the brush as in brushwood come from French and are probably the same word.
Rhymes ablush, blush, crush, flush, gush, hush, hush-hush, lush, mush, plush, rush, shush, slush, thrush, tush noun brʌʃbrəʃ mass nounAustralian, North American, NZ 1Undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs. Example sentencesExamples - The brush in southern California looks as if it will burn: It's dry and creepy.
- Ray climbed down the tree and looked around in the brush, without any luck.
- I had been in place no more than 15 minutes when I saw the antlers coming through the brush.
- The wagon driver emerged from the brush and they were able to make out his face.
- The marsh, before barely visible through the brush, is now easy to see.
- Most were happy to leave behind the bayonets that caught the brush and jammed into their sides as they hit the ground.
- Because of this quietude, the rustle in the brush behind me sounded like a shot through the lazy summer air.
- Five minutes later, Kagze was holding Hatoko's hand, leading her through the light brush on the edge of the forest.
- A witness had saw a suspect throwing a flaming device from the side of the road into the brush here, which caught fire.
- From the brush came the hard sound of a heavy rush of water.
- Apart from these birds, however, we found nothing else but a lone Winter Wren murmuring softly in the brush.
- The flycatcher was seen lurking in the low brush bordering a secluded pond.
- Instead of lining up at feeders like proper birds, they lurk in the treetops and skulk in the brush.
- He plunged into the brush, and emerged a few minutes later leading two horses, one a grey gelding and the other a dappled mare.
- There they have set up deer targets in the brush and point out birds in the trees for the new employees to spot.
- It moved again, and with a start of surprise I realized it was the antlers of a nice mule deer, bedded in the brush.
- The Spotted Towhee is a distinctive bird that is often heard before it is seen, scraping about in the brush.
- Emerging from the brush came a small, white, house cat with glowing pink eyes.
- Quite entertaining were some young Catbirds, meowing away in the tangled brush.
- Ever wary, he might poke his head or body out of the brush a few minutes later - or perhaps not.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes - 1.1 Land covered with undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs.
Example sentencesExamples - Her breathing was harsh and ragged as she stumbled through the brush, glancing back over her shoulder fearfully.
- Suddenly a brown-haired stallion came galloping out of the brush.
- Sometimes he would tell gruesome tales about medical procedures practiced in the jungle brush.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes - 1.2 Cut brushwood.
Example sentencesExamples - Gwyn managed to make a warm fire out of a pathetic pile of dry sticks and brush.
- A Cook County Forest Preserve District representative last week said brush pile fires, set to dispose of chopped trees and buckthorn, and prescribed burns pose no threat to the public.
- Build a brush pile near your feeder to make sparrows, towhees, and other shy birds feel more at home, but be sure it won't harbor roaming cats.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes - 1.3 Dense forest.
Example sentencesExamples - The unusual terrain of Etosha holds savanna grassland, dense brush and woodland.
- It was a dirt path, and it lead into thick forest and brush; no one would really WANT to go back there.
- It inhabits the Savannah, brush, forest, river valleys, and semi-desert regions of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
- Including the tents of anyone who was in K'nara somewhere hacking their way through the dense brush and getting beat up by opponents.
- Both men and women farm, although men are responsible for clearing forest and brush for new garden plots.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes
Origin Middle English: from Old French broce, perhaps based on Latin bruscum, denoting an excrescence on a maple. nounbrəSHbrəʃ 1An implement with a handle, consisting of bristles, hair, or wire set into a block, used for cleaning or scrubbing, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, arranging the hair, or other purposes. Example sentencesExamples - Continue working with a brush and blow-dryer until hair is dry.
- She dipped it into the glass of water that was beside it and then put the bristles of the brush into the red paint that lay spilt on the floor.
- There is a move from detailed images made with small brushes to ones broadly handled in increasingly thick, tacky paint.
- She picked up her brush and brushed her hair until all the tangles came out.
- Clean the brushes using paint thinner, if you used oil-based, or soap and water if you used latex.
- I like to apply it with a powder brush rather than the puff it comes with.
- After she has dressed, the Queen's hairdresser brushes and arranges her hair in the familiar royal style.
- In each case the slip was most likely applied with a brush or other implement, rather than being trailed in liquid form from a slip cup.
- Male pattern baldness is not due to the shampoo one uses or because of wearing a helmet, or hat, or because a person brushes or rubs his hair very often.
- Imagine, if you will, an artist loading a brush with paint, applying it to the canvas, and then waiting a week to see what it looks like.
- Don't comb with a bristle brush when your hair is wet, because it can pull hair out more quickly.
- Wet the brush bristles thoroughly, and work in the shampoo or wash.
- He takes a small brush and brushes the powder over the keypad.
- Using a pastry brush, paint the beaten eggs over the surface of each piece of rice paper.
- I ran a brush through my hair quickly and applied the slightest bit of makeup so that I didn't look quite as ragged as I felt since the long day after not sleeping.
- She dabbed a brush in a beige powder and brushed Cassie's cheeks.
- Next, apply the sealer according to manufacturer's instructions with a brush, broom or paint roller.
- ‘Students were told to contribute money for the purchase of brooms, mops, brushes and paint for the contest,’ he said.
- He nodded towards the bowl of dirty brown liquid they'd used to clean their paint-soaked brushes.
- Interdental brushes are small, specially designed brushes for cleaning between the teeth.
Synonyms broom, sweeper, besom, whisk, sweeping brush - 1.1 An act of sweeping, applying, or arranging with a brush or with one's hand.
Example sentencesExamples - Two of the retired sheepdogs from the neighbouring farm occasionally come to visit us, and we make them welcome, give them a stroke or a brush and a few dog biscuits.
- A light brush of green eye shadow accented her light, blue eyes very nicely.
- There is a bit more than an inch of brushy area on toothbrushes, so a tube should provide 113 liberal brushes.
- All it takes is a single brush of color across the lids or under the eyes or a touch at the outer corners.
- A final brush of powder over DiCaprio's nose, a dip inside the corner of his eye, and it's take three.
Synonyms clean, sweep, wipe, dust, mop
2A slight and fleeting touch. the lightest brush of his lips against her cheek Example sentencesExamples - Without a word, he inclined his head and kissed said mouth softly, barely more than a brush of the lips.
- It was more like a slight brush of lips - it would have been a kiss if it weren't for Sean though.
- He leaned forward and kissed her forehead - a brotherly brush of his lips against her skin, no more.
- The most delicate of glances, a mere brush of the forehead, was all that was needed to redirect it into the far corner of the net.
- I didn't even think about it until I felt the brush of his lips against my palm as his mouth closed in surprise.
- You would agree and yet still press yourself against me for a brush of the lips.
- During some unknown time, a brush against his shoulder awakened him to his surroundings.
- Wyn felt the gentle brush of his lips against hers, and shut her eyes, melting into the kiss.
- I like to feel fingers immersing themselves in my hair and the gentlest brush of the fingers on my neck - invisibly marking my skin for pleasing later.
- The brush of lips quickly turned into something completely different-more urgent and hungry.
- She blushed as he came to, rounding her final swing into a delicate brush of his face with her fingertips.
- If he could make her heart race like that with just a light brush of fingertips along her cheek, she was afraid of losing herself completely in any other touch.
- Another brush of his lips over her knuckles, and then he turned his horse about.
- Stepping closer to carefully wind it around her shoulders, the light brush of his fingers against her skin was enough to send a shiver through her.
- Grabbing the bottles from the cashier, she walked past him with a simple brush in the shoulder.
- She didn't say a word, nor even touch me any more than a brush against my neck.
- She shut her eyes and wished Daiju and Suku were with her until she felt a light brush against her forehead.
- I felt a gentle brush of lips against mine and I jumped back, hitting my head on the stone.
- When they see a person they like eye contact or a light brush of the hand passing is used to indicate interest.
- The car kept interpreting the lightest brush of foot against pedal as an invitation to perform an emergency stop.
Synonyms touch, stroke, skim, graze, glance, rub, shave, pat, nudge, contact - 2.1 A brief encounter with someone or something unpleasant or notable.
Example sentencesExamples - He has already had a brush with cancer in the past and obviously is now encountering another serious health problem.
- Miller and Bennett continued their scholarly interests well after their brief brush with the satire revolution.
- Then there is a therapy service, Aftercare, to treat people who have been traumatised by their brief brush with fame.
- Survivor's guilt maybe, that my brush with the disease was ultimately brief and in the great scheme of things something of a non-starter.
- My brief brush with knitting lasted long enough to make a scarf for my little sister's Barbie (yes, that's how many moons ago it was).
- His brief brush with crime came early yesterday morning while he was attending the annual UWI Splash fête at Bowen Marine, Chaguaramas.
- The signs, however, are that no matter how polite or mutual the rules of engagement, his brush with the spikier side of his best friend has left him somewhat cowed.
- Tonight, trouble for the president's twin daughters: a brush with the law makes front-page headlines.
- Any strange brushes with celebrities while you were down in the LA recording the new album?
- Martin says that his brush with death has left him with a determination to make the next Coldplay album the not only their best yet, but the ‘best album of all time’.
- He talks to others who had a brush with disaster fighting fires and rock-climbing in the Blue Mountains.
- Perhaps their closest brush with death was when a helicopter they had been due to travel in crashed into base camp, killing two people and injuring 11.
- But a brush with the new authorities can mean a familiar encounter over identity cards and threats.
- He said his brush with death and daily fight for fitness forced him to re-evaluate his goals and gave him a renewed zest for life and work.
- La Haye plays a deep-sea diver who suffers a memory lapse after surviving a brush with death in India.
- Doctor Ink experienced a recent brush with celebrity, and almost became a newsmaker in the process.
- The incident is the second brush with the law for Simpson since he moved to Kendall, 15 miles from Miami, last year.
- It wasn't the first time that Gomez had experienced a brush with death.
- After a brief brush with academia, he slipped into the life of a freelance writer, producing company histories, TV scripts and a bit of Emmerdale.
- Political leaders and heads of state last night paid tribute to a commanding figure who survived both an assassination attempt and a brush with cancer during his time in the Oval Office.
Synonyms encounter, clash, confrontation, collision, conflict
3The bushy tail of a fox. Example sentencesExamples - Not a muzzle or a brush of a fox is to be seen.
- But the tail, drooping down the side of the shrine, is long and straight; and club-shaped at the tip, more like the brush of a fox than the curved tail of a dog, which is normally carried in an upright position rather than low down like that of a jackal, wolf, or fox.
- Shortly after the tragic incident people started to notice that every night a large fox with a black brush would come and lay across the old woman's grave.
4usually brushesA thin stick set with long wire bristles, used to make a soft hissing sound on drums or cymbals. Example sentencesExamples - A wide variety of drumsticks, including hard sticks, soft mallets, and brushes, is used.
- The bass on the piano was heavily distorted and the drum brushes were too heavy.
- It's just amazing what the man can do with a pair of brushes, a snare and a single ride cymbal.
- He created original sounds from his cymbals and skins using sticks, brushes, and even his hands.
- The sound is almost like brushes on a snare drum.
5A piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact with a moving part in a motor or alternator. Example sentencesExamples - There are no expensive moving parts such as brushes, bearings, belts and pulleys to regularly maintain or replace.
- Thus, pump life has been limited by the wear of the brushes in conventional brush-type motors.
- I realize that the brushes, which transfer the electric current, are probably the key, but come on!
- You remember the old motors used to have those brushes and sparks, that smell of ozone?
- It's a wonderful piece of machinery; brushes and tubes fit together perfectly.
verbbrəSHbrəʃ 1with adverbial Remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing. we'll be able to brush the mud off easily Example sentencesExamples - He carefully brushed dirt and grit away from the skeleton he was unearthing with a tiny, soft-haired brush.
- Desiree walked to one of the windows, and tried to brush the dust out of it.
- ‘So far, we have found five skeletons in this pit,’ he added, carefully brushing the dirt from a left femur.
- He squeezed under the bucket and began to brush the dirt away.
- With extreme care he began to brush away dust from the stones on the floor of what he knew was a tomb.
Synonyms sweep, clean, buff, scrub - 1.1 Use a brush or one's hand to remove dust or dirt from (something)
she brushed down her best coat Example sentencesExamples - The Chief picked himself off the floor and brushed himself down.
- He looked at Simeon as the latter picked himself up and brushed himself down, shooting his enemy a triumphant smirk as he did so.
- Putting a brave face on it, I picked myself up, brushed myself down and carried on to school, buckled front wheel wobbling like a clown's car.
- Standing up, she brushed herself down and looked to her left.
- Charmian stood and brushed herself down, a serious, practical face on.
- He could have kept that in the dressing room, brushed himself down, come out afterwards and accepted one defeat.
- He brushed the dust from his blue waistcoat and wiped his aviator sunglasses on the hem of his shirt.
- He stands up, brushes the dirt from himself, and waddles up to her with a huge grin on his face.
- Marshall got up, brushed himself down, grabbed his case, and walked to the door.
- I said through giggles, as I pulled him from Travis, who brushed himself down and looked up from his seat.
- In a flash we had jumped up and brushed ourselves down.
- Malachi tried to look impassive as he struggled to his feet and brushed himself down.
Synonyms sweep, clean, buff, scrub - 1.2 Clean (one's teeth) by scrubbing with a brush.
Example sentencesExamples - The teeth and tongue should be kept clean by brushing twice daily.
- As long as the clothes are clean and his teeth are brushed, he's kind to others and he stays out of jail - it'll be okay.
- Call if you would like to be taught how to clean and brush your child's teeth and gums.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth at least four times a day (after meals and at bedtime).
- I finished brushing my teeth and wiped the steamy mirror so I could see my reflection.
- I kicked off my covers and ran into the bathroom, brushed my teeth and cleaned myself off.
- For three weeks I didn't bathe (except for the occasional wet wipe), brush my teeth or comb my hair.
- Soon, we finished eating and Halley took Isabella upstairs to change into her pajamas and brush her teeth as I cleaned up the kitchen.
- I changed into a long t-shirt and clean underwear and then brushed my teeth, washed my face, and combed my hair.
- After showering, I brushed my teeth and cleaned the rest of last night's make up off my eyes.
- We were fortunate in that The Hog loved having his teeth brushed and it was never necessary to take him to the vet to have them done under anaesthetic, as is usual.
- Power failures seem to be the order of the day as they have become as routine as brushing one's teeth every morning.
- She taught me about what her grooming needs would be, everything from cleaning her face to brushing her teeth.
- When she finished, she dressed into her clean clothes and brushed her teeth.
- I had put on my clothes, brushed my teeth, fixed my hair and cleaned up my room a little before they came back upstairs.
- I scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth, grabbed my bag and ran out the door at 8.01, only one minute late!
- After showering, brushing my teeth and putting on clean clothes I unlocked the shower door and headed to the hospital wing.
- The vet will be able to tell you how to brush the dog's teeth, how to clean his ears as well as how to clip toenails.
- But she needs her teeth brushed and claws clipped on a regular basis!
- Physical removal of the bacteria through brushing or wiping the teeth is still necessary.
- 1.3 Arrange (one's hair) by running a brush through it.
Example sentencesExamples - But I needed to know who it was so I pulled out a comb and brushed my hair forward a little and put it to the side.
- She hurried down, to shoo it off Zed's doona, guiltily brushing away imaginary hairs.
- Lena stepped nervously into the classroom, smoothing her jeans the best she could, and brushing the long brown hairs from her black top.
- You are not allowed to brush your hair or adjust your bed-head ponytail!
- She brushed a long auburn hair away from her face and pursed cherry red lips.
- Mika walked over to her clothes that were wet and now dry in her bag and took out a comb and brushed her hair into mid length wavy locks.
- Avery picked up a comb and continued brushing her hair straight.
- Humming quietly to herself, Sarah got out a comb and brushed her hair.
- She pulled her favourite hairbrush out of the top right-hand drawer and started brushing her long auburn hair.
- Each evening, she sat in a chair on the balcony, brushing her long auburn hair while watching the sun set over the ocean.
- Peeking through the window, the prince saw the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, wearing a dress of golden satin and brushing out her lustrous hair.
- She sat down across from him behind her desk, taking out a comb and brushing her long blonde hair.
- Use a boar's head or similar type of high quality styling tool to brush all hair smoothly back from the forehead.
- I furiously brushed my hair smooth after my run up to my room.
- He also liked having his hair brushed, he would hoot and grunt as mom combed it every morning.
- Pulling on a pair of trousers, and brushing damp freshly-washed hair out of my eyes, I tried to work out what they'd got me for.
- An Afro or wide-toothed comb is ideal for brushing tightly curled black hair.
- She brushed her hair smooth, and at that turned to the door and walked down the hall.
- I pulled out a comb and brushed my hair, it was difficult to pull the knots out but I was able too.
- To pass the time, she busied herself arranging Cecily's nightdress and brushing her hair.
Synonyms groom, comb, neaten, tidy, make neat, make tidy, smarten, smooth, arrange, fix, adjust, preen, primp, do, titivate - 1.4 Apply a liquid to (a surface) with a brush.
brush the potatoes with oil Example sentencesExamples - The first is for the marinating process and the other is to brush on the meat while grilling.
- Once the pan is hot, brush the roast with the olive oil, and sear on all sides, approximately 8 to 10 minutes total cooking time.
- The mercury was applied by vigorously brushing it onto the surface of the metal.
- Brush the potatoes with a little melted butter or dripping.
- There are also many proprietary liquids and pastes that have a disagreeable taste and can be brushed onto surfaces that the horse favours.
2no object Touch lightly and gently. stems of grass brush against her legs Example sentencesExamples - She stepped closer and her tapered fingers brushed lightly against the tender skin beneath his eye.
- Slowly, she brought a tremulous hand up, starting as she felt her fingers brush against her cheek.
- She brushed past him, fingers working at the clasp of her deep green cloak.
- Suddenly, Larken felt icy fingers brush against her face and neck.
- Raphael stretched his fingers out and they brushed against hers lightly.
- I gently brushed past them and walked to the side of the stage.
- Leo's fingers brush against mine as he pulls the gun from me.
- As he helps me his fingers brush against my skin sending shivers through me.
- Then she felt James' lips on her skin… just lightly touching and brushing against her forehead.
- The tips of my fingers brush against a bundle of money in my right pocket and I turn, heading towards the door.
- I felt his fingers brush against my cheeks, like he was holding my face in his hands.
- Slowly, he let his fingers drift down to brush against Jake's, and he gave the smallest smile.
- Mark stood at the panel, his fingers brushing lightly against the self destruct button.
- Lexi patted Jordan's cheek lightly and then brushed past him, so she could make her way towards his room.
- All I did was give her a glance as I brushed past her and made for the front door.
- I remember because she used to tap me gently on the head with her elbow whenever she brushed past me, just because I was the right height for it.
- Every time his hand would gently brush against mine, I trembled inside.
- She smiled, her fingers brushing lightly over the pictured faces.
- Jenna fumbled a moment with Allison's tie and she reached up to help her, their fingers brushing together gently.
- Lia tilted her head to the side, allowing his fingers to brush against her cheek, lightly.
Synonyms touch, stroke, caress, skim, sweep, graze, shave, glance, contact, flick, scrape - 2.1with object Push (something) away with a quick movement of the hand.
she brushed a wisp of hair away from her face Example sentencesExamples - Eave breathed out and stepped back, carefully pushing one of Raine's plaits behind her shoulder, brushing a loose strand away from her face.
- He quickly pushed that thought away, and brushed some stray locks of hair from her face.
- She gave him a wry smile, brushing her hair away from her face into a quick bun.
- She pushed the feeling away from her heart while she brushed Darren's fringe away from his eyes.
- One of the tears fell down my face, and I brushed it away with an annoyed sweep of my hand.
- Pulling back the covers he laid her in and pulled the covers up over her before brushing the hair from her face and pressing a quick kiss to her unresponsive lips.
- Gold-brown hair fell into her eyes and he pushed it back, brushing it behind her ear, and cupping her cheek in his hand.
- She dragged him to the door, all the while brushing his hands away from her hair.
- Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose and brushing his hair out of his eyes, his name tag shown under the one light of the room, bearing the name ‘Kevin’.
- He pushed down the hood on her cloak, and then brushed the hair away from her ears.
- She reached up to push them away, but before she could Brandon brushed them away for her and tucked them behind her ear.
- She brushed a tear from her eye and quick replaced the letters and the sack and waited for Tracey to return.
- He brushed a strand of hair from her face and pushed it gently behind her ear.
- In a habitual movement of his hand he brushed his hair from his forehead then replaced it gently to the piano.
- He used his hands constantly, poking the air, dragging a thumb across his eyebrow, brushing a fly from his cheek.
Synonyms push, move, sweep, clear, clean, remove
Phrasal Verbs brush someone/something aside Dismiss someone or something curtly and confidently. people brushed aside the possibility of imminent war Example sentencesExamples - Leila brushed his words aside with a light laugh.
- The girl laughed, brushing the mild insult aside.
- She took a moment to reflect on what she must look like, and did a mental shrug, brushing the subject aside.
- That mindset makes it easy to ignore the facts or brush them aside because ‘the facts ‘aren't really facts, at least not as most of us understand them.
- She had taken her prospectus to a colleague, but he dismissed the idea, brushing it aside with ‘the industry is too broad.’
- The ‘because I say so’ attitude of old seems to be disappearing - largely because street-wise, confident children are brushing it aside, demanding to be given the rationale behind requests.
- I brushed the idea aside and tried to forget about it.
- Sure, one can have an opinion, but it can be brushed aside, shrugged off - it's just your point of view, after all.
- I brushed the thought aside and ignored the feeling in my stomach.
- In fact I brushed it aside with the merest of shrugs and am tentatively starting to believe that I may actually finish this house before I retire, if that isn't too daringly optimistic.
Synonyms disregard, ignore, dismiss, shrug off, pass over, put aside, sweep aside, wave aside
(of a pitcher) force a batter to step back to avoid being hit by a ball pitched close to the body. Example sentencesExamples - Baseball is all about pitching inside and trying to brush the batter back off the plate.
- And on top of that, the pitcher would think twice about trying to brush the batter back off the plate.
- I would have brushed him back off the plate a couple of times.
brush someone/something off Dismiss someone or something in an abrupt way. the state brushed off the idea as something that would never happen Example sentencesExamples - The letter said staff complaints about Blair were brushed off by journalism school officials, and many complaints were not filed because of a fear that speaking out against Blair would undermine favour with the journalism school.
- This has been going on for so many years but we will not be brushed off.
- On visits to Washington, Chancellor Schroeder was brushed off, while the French were openly vilified.
- My ex tried to talk to the bitch woman after the game, but she at first ignored him and then brushed him off, saying that parents who complain are problems she doesn't have time for.
- The Japanese didn't buy it, brushed it off and dismissed it.
- I stood to face him, and he was brushing me off, trying to avoid my eyes.
- When MPs such as Alex Salmond asked about UN authorisation for air strikes against Afghanistan, their concern was brushed off as a pettifogging detail rather than an understandable concern.
- Well, all morning - you've been ignoring me and brushing me off.
- She also felt really flattered that he liked her so much as to forgive her for brushing him off and rejecting him.
- He then went up to her and tried to start a conversation but she brushed him off and ignored him.
Synonyms rebuff, dismiss, spurn, reject, repudiate, refuse, disown, slight, deny, scorn, disdain
Touch fleetingly and in passing. she brushed past him to leave the room Example sentencesExamples - I brush past her and finally come into the study.
- Grace rolled her eyes as she stood up, ‘this isn't even your apartment,’ she tried to brush past him to the door but he wouldn't let her.
- As I had my eyes closed, I could hear the sounds, I heard the sounds of crows cawing nearby, and I felt wings brush past my hands and feet so often.
- They brush past me; some giving me strange looks as to why I've stopped where I've stopped, no one actually stopping alongside.
- She tried to brush past him but he grabbed her wrist.
- As the door closed, I felt a cool breeze brush past me.
- Shaking the ache out of my hand and pretending not to heed my momentarily stupefied foe, I brush past him, taking advantage of his disbelief.
- His jaw drops, the cameraman giggles and I brush past him and head into the store.
- I tried to brush past her, but she was blocking my way.
- Have you ever been tapped on the shoulder when no-one is there, or sometimes can you feel some-one brush past you, again when no-one is there?
- Pixie glanced at her and was about to brush past her when she continued on, ‘How do you feel about your father's case.’
- I felt something brush past me; a phantom presence.
- Scented geraniums release their fragrances to the air only when you touch them or brush past.
- He picked up his suitcase and tried to brush past her.
- Or maybe I'll see one of them around in the street, as a passer-by, perhaps in twenty years time; and I'll brush past them, not noticing who they are.
- Marjoline squeaked, trying to brush past her, but Jacquiline barred the way with her arm and put Marjoline back in her place with only a slight nudge.
- But, I heard the horse brush past some branches, and I opened my eyes - the horse had gone through the trees just fine.
- Adam felt him brush past and glanced towards him.
- I often see people coming to take a sprig for their Sunday roast lamb - others just brush past it or crush a sprig between their fingers.
- I brush past some onlookers too scared to get their hair wet and step outside.
brush up on (or brush something up) Improve one's previously good knowledge of or skill at a particular thing. brush up on your telephone skills Example sentencesExamples - Our Mr. Hunter needs brushing up on his profiling skills,’ Shanelle teased back jumping into the conversation.
- He has obviously been brushing up on a number of skills - his encyclopedic memory of what goes on in the Robert McDougall Gallery - in order to get ready for the new job that he will need, come 2005.
- Marion took a part-time job at Guaranteed Trust on Lonsdale Avenue, while at the same time brushing up on her business skills in evening classes at Lucas School.
- He said the bus also offered fun materials for brushing up on reading, writing and maths skills.
- If I were him, I'd start brushing up on my typing skills.
- Returning to work will be daunting enough, getting used to the new equipment, brushing up on your skills and having very little clothes up to date.
- Perhaps your reading comprehension skills need a little brushing up on.
- These camps keep children amused while allowing them to brush up on their acting skills, the backstroke or learn to play a sport.
- Drivers are being offered a chance to brush up on their skills in a six-week course.
- I hope the Rev is brushing up on his acting skills.
Synonyms revise, read up, go over, refresh one's memory of, relearn, cram, study, learn
Origin Middle English: noun from Old French broisse; verb partly from Old French brosser ‘to sweep’. nounbrəSHbrəʃ North American, Australian, NZ 1Undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs. Example sentencesExamples - The wagon driver emerged from the brush and they were able to make out his face.
- The marsh, before barely visible through the brush, is now easy to see.
- A witness had saw a suspect throwing a flaming device from the side of the road into the brush here, which caught fire.
- Five minutes later, Kagze was holding Hatoko's hand, leading her through the light brush on the edge of the forest.
- Apart from these birds, however, we found nothing else but a lone Winter Wren murmuring softly in the brush.
- The Spotted Towhee is a distinctive bird that is often heard before it is seen, scraping about in the brush.
- Because of this quietude, the rustle in the brush behind me sounded like a shot through the lazy summer air.
- He plunged into the brush, and emerged a few minutes later leading two horses, one a grey gelding and the other a dappled mare.
- Quite entertaining were some young Catbirds, meowing away in the tangled brush.
- The brush in southern California looks as if it will burn: It's dry and creepy.
- It moved again, and with a start of surprise I realized it was the antlers of a nice mule deer, bedded in the brush.
- Instead of lining up at feeders like proper birds, they lurk in the treetops and skulk in the brush.
- Most were happy to leave behind the bayonets that caught the brush and jammed into their sides as they hit the ground.
- From the brush came the hard sound of a heavy rush of water.
- I had been in place no more than 15 minutes when I saw the antlers coming through the brush.
- Ever wary, he might poke his head or body out of the brush a few minutes later - or perhaps not.
- Ray climbed down the tree and looked around in the brush, without any luck.
- The flycatcher was seen lurking in the low brush bordering a secluded pond.
- Emerging from the brush came a small, white, house cat with glowing pink eyes.
- There they have set up deer targets in the brush and point out birds in the trees for the new employees to spot.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes - 1.1 Land covered with undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs.
Example sentencesExamples - Her breathing was harsh and ragged as she stumbled through the brush, glancing back over her shoulder fearfully.
- Sometimes he would tell gruesome tales about medical procedures practiced in the jungle brush.
- Suddenly a brown-haired stallion came galloping out of the brush.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes - 1.2 Cut brushwood.
Example sentencesExamples - Gwyn managed to make a warm fire out of a pathetic pile of dry sticks and brush.
- A Cook County Forest Preserve District representative last week said brush pile fires, set to dispose of chopped trees and buckthorn, and prescribed burns pose no threat to the public.
- Build a brush pile near your feeder to make sparrows, towhees, and other shy birds feel more at home, but be sure it won't harbor roaming cats.
Synonyms undergrowth, underwood, scrub, scrubland, brushwood, bracken, bushes
Origin Middle English: from Old French broce, perhaps based on Latin bruscum, denoting an excrescence on a maple. |