dust off the cobwebs

verb

To begin an activity that has been suspended for a long time; to return to something after a long time, especially when there is a need to regain former familiarity or facility.

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Meanings

verbdust off the cobwebs (third-person singular simple present dusts off the cobwebs, present participle dusting off the cobwebs, simple past and past participle dusted off the cobwebs)

present singular third person dusts off the cobwebs · participle present dusting off the cobwebs · participle past dusted off the cobwebs · past dusted off the cobwebs

  1. To begin an activity that has been suspended for a long time; to return to something after a long time, especially when there is a need to regain former familiarity or facility.
Cite this entry
APA

dust off the cobwebs. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dust%20off%20the%20cobwebs

MLA

“dust off the cobwebs.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dust%20off%20the%20cobwebs. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dust off the cobwebs,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dust%20off%20the%20cobwebs.

Source: dust off the cobwebs on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.