brush down meaning: definition, quotations

brush down

verbalso spelled brush-down

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see brush, down. To remove something with a brush, or ones hands using a downward brushing motion.

Idiomatic To straighten up one's clothes and to tidy up one's appearance.

After tripping over, he picked himself up, brushed himself down, and carried on walking.

noun

The act of brushing down (a person, animal or object).

Give me a brush-down, would you? Have I got any twigs in my hair? Are you sure? Then good-bye, my love, good-bye!'1949, George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Part Two, Chapter 3:
Together, the two young men fed and watered their mounts, gave them quick brush-downs and chatted happily the whole time.2006, Clara Miller, The Reluctant Heretic, Virtualbookworm.com Publishing:

1 more example

A light sand or a soft brush-down with wire wool is often enough to clean up the wood while preserving its character.2013 November 1, Joanna Simmons, Emily Henson, “Modern rustic: decorating your home with reclaimed timber”, in The Daily Telegraph: