The phrase "brushes with" refers to encounters with something or someone. It can be spelled as /brʌʃəz wɪð/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "bruh" is pronounced with a short U sound, followed by "shiz" with a short I sound, and ending with "with" pronounced as "wihð", where the ð represents the voiced dental fricative sound. The spelling of this phrase conforms to the standard English pronunciation rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Brushes with is a colloquial expression that refers to encounters or experiences with something, usually unexpected or unusual, that might have potential consequences. This phrase can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
In a literal sense, brushes with often depicts close, fleeting encounters, often involving physical touch or impact. For example, one might say, "He narrowly avoided getting hit by a car and had several brushes with death that day." In this case, brushes with implies close calls or near misses.
Figuratively, brushes with can be used to describe encounters with situations or experiences that are often challenging, dangerous, risky, or often associated with negative outcomes or consequences. For instance, someone could say, "She often had brushes with the law due to her reckless behavior." Here, brushes with denotes repeated contact or involvement with legal troubles.
It is important to note that brushes with carries a connotation of unpredictability or chance, implying that these encounters or experiences were not entirely deliberate or planned. Additionally, the phrase is frequently used to emphasize the significance or impact of these encounters, highlighting their potential to bring about significant changes or consequences in one's life.
The phrase "brushes with" comes from the verb "to brush", which has its roots in the Old French word "brosser" meaning "to sweep" or "to brush". The term "brushes with" is derived from the figurative use of the word "brush" to mean a brief encounter or experience with something, often unpleasant or dangerous. This usage likely originated in the early 19th century. So, the etymology of "brushes with" can be traced back to the Old French verb "brosser" and its subsequent evolution in the English language.