dust off

verb

dusted off; dusting off; dusts off

transitive verb

: to bring out or back to use again
dusted off his golf clubs when he retired

Examples of dust off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The local authorities have dusted off Cold War-era bomb shelters, installed a new satellite communications system and are working with the military on plans to help a deployment of Western forces in case of conflict. Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 And all businesses should dust off their recession contingency plans. Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 This time, Israeli officials have dusted off an old playbook: threatening to strike Iran, even without American help. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 28 May 2025 Homes in my neighborhood have Knicks flags on their stoops swaying in the wind; hermetic friends have dusted off their Stephon Marbury and Amar’e Stoudemire jerseys and come through to stress over Thibs’ refusal to use his bench. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dust off

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dust off was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dust off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dust%20off. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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