brush off
Reject without consideration
To brush off is to dismiss someone or something curtly, declining to engage: She brushed off his apology, He tried to brush off the criticism.
The image is of flicking away something unwanted, like dust from a sleeve.
A brush-off is a curt rejection or dismissal: I asked for a meeting but got the brush-off.
Dismiss as unsuitable
- rebuffAbrupt, curt rejection
- spurnRefuse with contempt
- declineDecrease or refuse
- refuseReject or garbage
wave away · discount · disregard · overlook · minimize · downplay · belittle · discard
Intentional social rejection
rebuke · put down · shut out · turn back on · freeze out · look through · blank · stiff
Calm, casual composure
- unconcernAbsence of worry
- apathyAbsence of feeling
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- aloofnessEmotional unavailability, standoffishness
detachment · disinterest · dismissiveness · unresponsiveness · blasé · shrug · whatever · couldn't care less
reject
Dismiss as unsuitable
refuse · wave away · discount · disregard · overlook · minimize · downplay · belittle · discard · push aside
cold-shoulder
Intentional social rejection
diss · rebuke · put down · shut out · turn back on · freeze out · look through · blank · stiff · snoot
nonchalance
Calm, casual composure
aloofness · detachment · disinterest · dismissiveness · unresponsiveness · blasé · shrug · whatever · couldn't care less · unmoved
- dismissalsgo away, get out, leave, scram, beat it
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- dismissdismiss, wave away, sweep aside, push aside, cast aside
- evasionsno comment, dodge, deflection, hedging, equivocation
- ineffective responsesexcuses, deflection, denial, avoidance, stonewalling
- brush-offscold shoulder, ignore, snub, rebuff, disregard
brush offattend to
Give care or focus
heed · focus on · hear out · give the time of day · attend
brush offwelcome
Hospitable greeting offered
embrace · roll out the red carpet · accept · fawn over · court
brush offtake seriously
Treat as significant
give weight to · take to heart · consider · take into account · give thought to
off, brush, brushing, brushed, brusque, bristly, bristle, brushes, bristling