Brush up on

phrase

To improve or refresh your knowledge or skill in a particular area.

Before the quiz, I need to brush up on my geometry.

Often appears as...

brush up on skills
brush up on knowledge

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To improve or refresh your knowledge or skill in a particular area.

Before the quiz, I need to brush up on my geometry.

Often appears as...

brush up on skills
brush up on knowledge

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Frequency Matters

Repeatedly practicing a specific topic is implied when brushing up on it.

I'm brushing up on my Spanish verbs every evening.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Starting Anew

The phrase suggests improving existing knowledge, not learning something completely new.

I'll brush up on my Italian before our trip, since I've spoken it before.

Pro Tip 3/3

Casual Tone

The phrase has a casual, informal feel and may not suit formal or academic writing.

Let's brush up on Shakespeare's plays over the weekend.

Pro Tip 1/3

Frequency Matters

Repeatedly practicing a specific topic is implied when brushing up on it.

I'm brushing up on my Spanish verbs every evening.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Starting Anew

The phrase suggests improving existing knowledge, not learning something completely new.

I'll brush up on my Italian before our trip, since I've spoken it before.

Pro Tip 3/3

Casual Tone

The phrase has a casual, informal feel and may not suit formal or academic writing.

Let's brush up on Shakespeare's plays over the weekend.

Pro Tip 1/3

Frequency Matters

Repeatedly practicing a specific topic is implied when brushing up on it.

I'm brushing up on my Spanish verbs every evening.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Starting Anew

The phrase suggests improving existing knowledge, not learning something completely new.

I'll brush up on my Italian before our trip, since I've spoken it before.

Pro Tip 3/3

Casual Tone

The phrase has a casual, informal feel and may not suit formal or academic writing.

Let's brush up on Shakespeare's plays over the weekend.

Visual representation of the word "Brush up on"

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