1 B1 neutral
To remove something from a surface or from yourself with a light sweeping movement of the hand or a brush.
"She brushed away the crumbs from her lap before standing up."
separable
brush away
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove something with a light sweeping motion, or to dismiss a feeling or memory as if it could be physically swept away.
In plain English
To gently sweep something away with your hand or a brush.
What does "brush away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To try to dismiss or suppress a feeling, thought, or emotion as if physically sweeping it aside.
"He brushed away his doubts and knocked on the interview door."
separable
Usage tip
Used both literally (brushing crumbs away) and figuratively (brushing away sad memories). The figurative sense is more literary. Common in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "brush away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
crumbs tears dust hair memories flies
How to conjugate "brush away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
brush away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
brushes away
he/she/it
Past simple
brushed away
yesterday
Past participle
brushed away
have + pp
-ing form
brushing away
continuous
Hear "brush away" in the wild
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