brushing

Everyday

1. Brushing means cleaning or tidying something with a brush: brushing your teeth, brushing your hair. tree →
2. Brushing means touching something lightly as you pass: the leaves were brushing my face. tree →
3. Brushing can mean putting paint, oil or egg on something with a brush. tree →
4. As a noun, brushing is the act of cleaning with a brush. tree →

In the lessons

In hygiene lessons tooth brushing is very important: brush twice a day (morning and before bed) for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, reaching all the teeth and the gumline; this removes plaque and bacteria that cause holes. Brushing your hair and brushing pets (to keep their fur clean) are everyday care. In stories «brushing» can describe gentle touch: a cat brushing against your legs. Phrases: brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, brush off (ignore), brush up on (practise again).

Examples

• I'm brushing my teeth before bed. tree →
• Brushing twice a day keeps your teeth healthy. tree →
• Brushing your teeth should take about two minutes. tree →
• She is brushing the dog's fur. tree →
• The cat was brushing against my legs. tree →
• Dad was brushing egg on the pastry. tree →
• I'm brushing up on my times tables before the test. tree →
• Don't forget brushing your tongue too. tree →
• After some time, however, a gentleman who came to his master’s house gave Whittington a penny for brushing his shoes. tree →

Note

Spelling: brush → brushes, brushed, brushing. Spit out toothpaste after brushing but you don't need to rinse with lots of water (the fluoride works longer). «Brush off» means ignore someone or something unkindly; «brush up on» means practise again.