SWEEP SOMETHING ASIDE : to refuse to consider something or to treat it

as important.
They swept his doubts and objections aside. Branson swept all the
objections aside.
Anyway, by then she was sure that Julius would simply have swept any curbs
aside.

WHIP UP SOMEONE/SOMETHING : to try to make people feel strongly about

something. Stimulate a particular feeling in someone.
Whip up interest/opposition/support etc
Starting in 1967, we tried hard to whip up interest in the robots among
potential customers, but with little success.
They will not hesitate to whip up ethnic hatred as was done with such terrible
consequences in Rwanda.
I couldnt whip up any enthusiasm for the assignment.
A media frenzy followed that whipped up fear and outrage against the Maori
people.

THE ROPES : all the things someone needs to know to do a job or deal with a
system
I spent the first month just learning the ropes. He works repairing streets,
and knows the ropes when it comes to safety. Miss McGinley will show you
the ropes and answer any questions. I spent a day in our warehouse
showing the new guy the ropes.
Learn/know the ropes : to learn/know how to do a job or activity
doing badly and likely to fail:
On the ropes : (informal) doing badly and likely to fail
I think the business is finally on the ropes.
Primary election results show the governor is on the ropes.
The army says the rebels are on the ropes.

SHOOT DOWN SOMETHING/SOMEONE : 1. to destroy an aircraft or kill a

person with guns.
A Navy missile may have shot down the aircraft.
2. To shoot down an idea or suggestion is to prevent it from being accepted:
A proposal to require high school students to take at least one AP course was
shot down by concerned parents.