brush up on vs brush up

Both 'brush up on' and 'brush up' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Brush up on' is used when referring to refreshing or improving one's knowledge or skills in a particular subject, while 'brush up' is used more generally to mean improving or refining something without specifying the subject. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 311 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to refreshing or improving one's knowledge or skills in a particular subject.

"brush up on"

Use 'brush up on' when you want to indicate that you are refreshing or improving your knowledge or skills in a specific subject or area.

Examples:

I need to brush up on my Spanish before my trip to Mexico.
She decided to brush up on her coding skills over the weekend.
He's brushing up on his history before the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

Here's some articles to brush up on.
Go home and brush up on local civics.
Maybe you better brush up on your lingo if you're going to back him up.
Get a Greek and brush up on him.
You better brush up on your tropical infections and parasites.
Told him to brush up on his road rules.
But if I do take the case, I suggest you brush up on your Latin.
I think you need to brush up on your French there, Kristina.
Duggan, you should really brush up on your Morse code.
Besides, it'll give you a chance to brush up on some of your old-school tricks.
Why not brush up on Russian?
We're doing this because Chief Shepherd suggests we brush up on our patient sensitivity skills, that's why.
Okay. For the quiz Monday brush up on chapters three and four.
You people either need to brush up on your maritime law or find a real lawyer.
I'll make sure to brush up on my safecracking skills in study hall.
I trust you used the time to brush up on your summons skills because that's what 1PP is screaming for now.
But at any rate, it did give me a chance to brush up on my suturing.
However, it will pay to brush up on the basics of South Africa's road rules and regulations to ensure you have a safe trip.
Players can brush up on Blackjack Etiquette, too, and gain the skills necessary for playing like a pro.

Alternatives:

review
refresh
polish up on
revisit
relearn

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean improving or refining something without specifying the subject.

"brush up"

Use 'brush up' when you want to indicate that you are improving or refining something without specifying the subject or area.

Examples:

She needs to brush up her presentation skills.
He decided to brush up his resume before applying for the job.
I should brush up my cooking before the dinner party.

Show examples from the web [+]

I can help you brush up if you need help.
Would you help me brush up a little?
Participants will be able to 'brush up' their English through a variety of interactive activities in the classroom.
Participants will be able to 'brush up' and practise their English in an English speaking and interactive environment.
Whether you wish to enhance your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, practise spelling or brush up your grammar: we will help you reach your personal goal.
maintain and brush up the knowledge and skills that they need;
Certainly a brush up course on the attributes needed to explore one's limits in relation to the precarious nature of reality never hurts.
We have had teens on their own for up to four months and many of them decide to come back and brush up their Spanish before or during college.
Perhaps you need to learn something new for your job, or you would like to learn a new language before you take a vacation abroad, or you want to "brush up" on math so you can help your children with their homework.
For suede shoes brush up the nap with a suede brush.
AND WELCOME TO THE SECOND OF OUR ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES IN WHICH WE'LL BE HELPING YOU BRUSH UP YOUR ITALIAN.
Take a shower and brush up.
And they do brush up against organized crime.
They should go and brush up their history of European literature, because Giambattista Basile is a giant.
The author of the work or another artist will brush up the wax to fix defects and imperfections.
As with Deane's Dracula, playwright and newspaper correspondent John L Balderston - who had recently written the hit play Berkeley Square - was engaged to revise and brush up the material for American consumption.
Why don't you book a table while I go in and brush up?
Time for a little someone's wash and brush up!
You're going to wash and brush up?
It mulches grass and brush up to 7 cm (with SMO flails), or equipped with forestry rotor up to 12 cm (with swinging or fixed hammers).

Alternatives:

improve
refine
enhance
polish up
work on

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brush up on vs brush up

"brush up on"

"brush up"

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