brush-off

plural brush-offs · alternative brushoff

1. An abrupt rebuff, a snub or curt rejection, a disdainful dismissal.

   A halfhearted “thank you” may be a brush-off.

   2 more examples

   For the first time, we in the SF ghetto are beginning to get criticism – not brush-offs from literary snobs.

   Susan called the police after they failed to locate Amy that afternoon. The response was a brush-off dressed as reassurance. Detective Michael Gonzalez told her, “Don’t panic. Call back if Amy isn’t home by morning.”

   2026 July 29, Nicholas Muhoro, “Amy Billig Vanished While Hitchhiking Through Coconut Grove. Then the Calls Began”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 31 Jul 2026