Brush aside 🧹✋

Meaning

To dismiss something as unimportant or to ignore it.

Origin

Imagine a busy person, perhaps a monarch or a wealthy merchant, overwhelmed by petitions, requests, and bothersome details. They might literally use their hand to sweep away (or 'brush aside') these papers or even the people trying to present them, signaling their unimportance. This physical act of dismissal quickly became a metaphor for ignoring or disregarding concerns, opinions, or problems that one doesn't want to deal with, a convenient way to clear one's mental or physical space without engaging.

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Brush aside represented with emoji🧹✋

This playful duo, a broom and a hand, functions as a charming reminder to sometimes just brush aside the trivial. It teaches the viewer the gentle art of letting go, not as an act of defeat, but as a conscious choice to tidy up our mental space and focus on what truly matters. Note how the simple gesture evokes a sense of lightness, encouraging us to sweep away insignificant worries with a flick of the wrist.

Examples

  • He tried to brush aside all criticism and continue with his work.
  • She brushed aside the rumors as mere gossip.
  • The knight attempted to brush aside the dragon's fiery breath, but it was no use.
  • The squirrel decided to brush aside the acorn and chase a particularly shiny button instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'brush aside' considered formal or informal usage?

'Brush aside' is generally considered informal language. It's commonly used in everyday conversation and less formal writing to describe the act of dismissing something casually.

What is the opposite of 'brush aside'?

The opposite of 'brush aside' is to 'take seriously' or 'give attention to'. These phrases imply a respectful consideration of an idea, concern, or person, rather than dismissiveness.

Can 'brush aside' refer to physical actions or only metaphorical ones?

While the origin of 'brush aside' is rooted in a physical gesture of dismissa, the phrase is now predominantly used metaphorically to mean ignoring or dismissing something mentally or intellectually.

Is 'brush aside' an idiom or a phrasal verb?

'Brush aside' functions as a phrasal verb, which is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning. It's often used idiomatically, meaning its figurative sense is widely understood.

Similar to "brush aside"

Wave it away
Both dismiss something as unimportant, but 'wave it away' feels more casual, like a flick of the wrist dismissing a bothersome fly
Sweep it under the rug
Both involve ignoring something, but 'sweep it under the rug' implies a clandestine attempt to hide a problem, making it sound more deceitful than simply brushing it aside
Give it short shrift
Both mean to deal with something inadequately, but 'give it short shrift' feels more deliberately curt and dismissive, as if you're cutting off a conversation before it gains weight

Opposite of "brush aside"

Give it due consideration
This argues for careful attention and thoughtful engagement, a direct counterpoint to the casual neglect inherent in 'brush aside'
Take it to heart
This advocates for deep emotional processing and sincere acknowledgment, standing in stark contrast to the superficial dismissal of 'brush aside'
Give it the attention it deserves
This champions treating a matter with the appropriate level of focus, directly challenging the selective and often unwarranted unimportance implied by 'brush aside'

Related to "brush aside"

Sidestep the issue
Like 'brush aside', this phrase signifies avoidance, but it specifically targets avoiding a direct confrontation with a problem rather than just dismissing its importance
Bury your head in the sand
Both phrases represent a refusal to confront reality, but 'bury your head in the sand' paints a more cowardly and self-deluded image of someone willfully ignoring danger
Explain it away
This phrase shares the dismissive aspect of 'brush aside' but focuses specifically on rationalizing or justifying why something isn't a problem, often involving a narrative spin
Let it slide
This suggests a permissive attitude, allowing something to pass without consequence, which aligns with the idea of not taking something seriously like 'brush aside', but often with a sense of weary acceptance rather than active dismissal