dust off

dust  (dst)

n.

1. Fine, dry particles of matter.

2. A cloud of fine, dry particles.

3. Particles of matter regarded as the result of disintegration: fabric that had fallen to dust over the centuries.

4.

a. Earth, especially when regarded as the substance of the grave: "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" (Book of Common Prayer).

b. The surface of the ground.

5. A debased or despised condition.

6. Something of no worth.

7. Chiefly British Rubbish readied for disposal.

8. Confusion; agitation; commotion: won't go back in until the dust settles.

v. dust·ed, dust·ing, dusts

v.tr.

1. To remove dust from by wiping, brushing, or beating: dust the furniture.

2. To sprinkle with a powdery substance: dusted the cookies with sugar; dust crops with fertilizer.

3. To apply or strew in fine particles: dusted talcum powder on my feet.

4. Baseball To deliver a pitch so close to (the batter) as to make the batter back away.

v.intr.

1. To clean by removing dust.

2. To cover itself with such particulate matter. Used of a bird.

Phrasal Verb:

dust off

To restore to use: dusted off last year's winter coat.

Idioms:

in the dust

Far behind, as in a race or competition: a marketing strategy that left our competitors in the dust.

make the dust fly

To go about a task with great energy and speed.

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[Middle English, from Old English dst.]

Translations

? dust off

vt sep dirt → abwischen, wegwischen; table, surface, person → abstauben; to dust oneself off → sich (dat) → den Staub abklopfen; (fig) → sich reinwaschen