brush off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I was told that things would be looked into. It was very vague. It was a brush-off."

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2024

“You’re not on the list,” he was told twice by a Troubadour doorman, and given the brush-off.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2023

We don’t know what happened exactly after this brush-off, but it’s clear that Josh didn’t give up because Nyswanderweg—Marie Nyswander Way—exists in Hamburg today.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2023

Critics say the brush-off is a bad look for the leader of the free world and hurts U.S. diplomatic relations.

From Washington Times • May 10, 2023

Saying good-bye at the end of a visit, Craig would give my dad a final, concerned look and pose the usual question about his health, only to be given the merry brush-off of “I’m fine.”

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama