BRUSH UP • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Brush up

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/brəʃ əp/ Listen

verb

Brush v. t. (past & past part. brushed; pres. part. brushing)

To apply a brush to, according to its particular use; to rub, smooth, clean, paint, etc., with a brush. "A' brushes his hat o' mornings."

To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a brush. "Some spread their sailes, some with strong oars sweep The waters smooth, and brush the buxom wave." "Brushed with the kiss of rustling wings."

To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like that of brushing, or by passing lightly over, as wind; commonly with off. "As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed With raven's feather from unwholesome fen." "And from the boughts brush off the evil dew."

To brush aside, to remove from one's way, as with a brush.

To brush away, to remove, as with a brush or brushing motion.

To brush up, to paint, or make clean or bright with a brush; to cleanse or improve; to renew. "You have commissioned me to paint your shop, and I have done my best to brush you up like your neighbors."

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Etymology of 'Brush up'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Brush up" Quotes from Famous Books

... certainly come very hard upon the subalterns," continued Hixley, with much gravity. "They'll have to brush up their sol mi fas. All the solos are ...

— Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 1 (of 2) • Charles Lever

... afford to hire many of these outside speakers for prohibition—it costs too much to get them here. But I have told Mr. Haley to brush up his ideas, and by and by we'll have him make a speech in Polktown. He can practise on the pigs for a while," added the elder laughing; "and maybe after all they won't be so dif'rent from some of them in town that I want should hear the young ...

— How Janice Day Won • Helen Beecher Long

... Adrian commiserated him. "You are tired and overwrought. Go to your room, and have a bath and a brush up. That will refresh you. Then, at half-past four, you can renew the advantages of my society at tea in the garden. Oh, you 'll find your room quite ready. I 've felt a pricking in my thumbs any time these three months. ...

— The Lady Paramount • Henry Harland

... Sir he served the great Lady Kingcob and was yeoman of her wardroppe, & because a cood brush up her silkes lustely, she thought he would curry the enemies coates as soundly, and so by her commendations, he was made Captaine in the ...

— A Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. III • Various

... to brush up your classical education, and translate into terms suited to your intelligence. I will have that document from you or—in four more ...

— The False Faces • Vance, Louis Joseph

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