brush up on skills

Meaning

This phrase means to practice, study, or review a skill that you have previously learned but have not used recently, in order to regain your proficiency. It is a casual, friendly expression used when talking about professional development, training, or preparing for a new job or task. The tone is encouraging, informal, and proactive.

Examples

• I need to brush up on skills like data analysis before my job interview next week.

  I need to brush up on skills like data analysis before my job interview next week.

• The company offers free online courses for employees who want to brush up on skills.

  The company offers free online courses for employees who want to brush up on skills.

• She spent the weekend trying to brush up on skills she hadn't used since college.

  She spent the weekend trying to brush up on skills she hadn't used since college.

• Before you transition to the sales team, you should brush up on skills related to negotiation.

  Before you transition to the sales team, you should brush up on skills related to negotiation.

• I'm going to brush up on skills in Python because our team is starting a new coding project.

  I'm going to brush up on skills in Python because our team is starting a new coding project.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to brush up my skills in Excel.

  ✓ I need to brush up on skills in Excel.

  If you use the general phrase 'brush up on skills', you must include the preposition 'on'. Alternatively, you can say 'brush up my Excel skills' (without 'on') if you specify the exact skill directly.

• ✗ I will brush out on skills before starting the new role.

  ✓ I will brush up on skills before starting the new role.

  The correct phrasal verb is 'brush up on', not 'brush out on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since I haven't coded in years, I need to ___ before the project begins.

  💡 Refresh or practice your old abilities.

  Show answer

  brush up on skills

• Taking a weekend workshop is a great way to ___.

  💡 Review and improve your professional talents.

  Show answer

  brush up on skills