Brush up or brush up on something

Question

Hi, huge confusion hit me in regard to how to use BRUSH UP and Brush up on something.

1. Is it usable this way?

- I brush up my memory about what I did back then.

2. The confusion about whether to use '' on'' or not like Brush up on is also tormenting me, so would you clear it up?

pls. let me know when you add on like brush up on and when you omit it like '' brush up''.

Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

beatutiful heart1. Is it usable this way?

- I brush up my memory about what I did back then.

No. Even if you said "brush up on my memory", it wouldn't work. "brush up on something" means to practice so as to more easily remember something. You remember things that are in your memory, but you don't remember your memory. You can "brush up on irregular verbs in English", however.

beatutiful heart2. The confusion about whether to use on or not like Brush up on is also tormenting me, so would you clear it up?

pls. let me know when you add on like brush up on and when you omit it like brush up.

In the sense that you are concerned with here, I believe it's always brush up on, and on is omitted only when it's obvious from context what you are brushing up on.

I have to brush up on my French. I've got a test tomorrow.

vs.

-- How's it going? Are you ready for your French test tomorrow?
-- Not bad. I think I'll do well. I'm just going to brush up a little tonight.

In the second case, it's obvious that I'm going to brush up on my French, so the on phrase is omitted.

CJ

Brush up or brush up on something

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