Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—B

Brush

The tail of a fox or squirrel, which is brushy.

Brush away.
Get along. Brush off. Move on.

He brushed by me. He just touched me as he went quickly past. Hence also brush, a slight skirmish. All these are metaphors from brushing with a brush.

Give it another brush.
A little more attention; bestow a little more labour on it; return it to the file for a little more polish.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Brush up
Brunt
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