brush up

verb

brushed up; brushing up; brushes up

transitive verb

1

: to improve or polish as if by brushing

2

: to renew one's skill in

brush up your Spanish

intransitive verb

: to refresh one's memory : renew one's skill

brush up on math

brushup

ˈbrəsh-ˌəp 

noun

Examples of brush up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Magic are brushing up against the NBA’s unforgiving second apron, and every dollar matters. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, its leaves, fruits, and roots are all highly toxic whether eaten or just brushed up against if there's an open wound or abrasion. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Or, brush up on Vietnam War history during a tour of the War Remnants Museum and the Củ Chi Tunnels. — Elizabeth Preske, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026

Kansas City is brushing up on its interpretive skills, preparing to welcome and accommodate visitors of all tongues for the world’s largest sporting event. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for brush up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

brush up

verb

: to refresh one's memory, skill, or knowledge

brush up on your Spanish