Skip to main content
to wash

to wash

42 7.2
To be accepted as true or good by other people
  • verb
  • /wɔʃ/
  • Informal
translation icon : colar (informal)
  • She tried to wash her hands of the blame after the incident, claiming she had no part in it.

Examples

  • After facing criticism, the organization decided to wash its hands of the controversial project.

  • Don't you dare let the agency wash its hands of this.

  • People want to wash their hands of their sins.

  • My solution, for years, has been to wash my hands of the whole Armstrong generation.

    Blog text (25)
  • When they snatch that up, they now wash their hands of that responsibility.

  • After the turmoil she experienced here, I believe she was glad to wash her hands of our fair city.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Believe me, Jerome, I am washing my hands of the whole subject.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Legislators washed their hands of the key decisions to go to war and for how long.

    Academic text (2003)
  • So as you listen to the following power thoughts, let the affirmations and ideas wash over your consciousness.

  • Veate watched and listened as the tone of command washed over the security officer and cleaned away his doubts.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

to hold water
vsto wash
12 4.9

To make sense and seem believable when checked

is accepted as valid by others rather than proved by strict logic
to pass the smell test
vsto wash
  • Informal
3 7.8

Seem honest and believable when people check it

is accepted after careful scrutiny rather than by casual common judgment

Antonyms

332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

to invalidate
  • Formal
33 6.1

To make a document or agreement have no legal effect anymore

Idioms

8 6.7

Stop being involved and refuse to take responsibility for someone or something

5 7.4

To tell someone off for saying rude words, sometimes by putting soap in their mouth

3 6.3

Refuse to take the blame for a problem

2 7.0

A secret or problem becomes known later

To try to get rid of bad pictures or thoughts in your mind after something upsetting

To punish someone by putting soap in their mouth for swearing

To talk about private, embarrassing things in front of other people

Phrasal Verbs

117 1.0

To clean your hands with soap and water to remove germs

To clean plates, bowls, and cups after a meal

41 1.1

To wash the dishes after a meal

35 3.6

To be carried by water onto the shore

33 2.1

Water or another liquid carries something away

31 1.0

To remove something from a surface by washing with water or soap

15 4.4

To swallow food with a drink or ease a bad feeling by drinking

11 1.0

To wash your hands and face to get clean

9 2.0

Clean something using water to remove dirt or stains

8 4.3

Carry away soil or roads by strong flowing water

7 4.3

To make people forget and stop caring about something

to wash up
  • Informal
7 7.5

To become completely tired and unable to continue

5 2.8

Wash something with your hands instead of in a machine

4 3.3

To move along with a strong flow of water

To get rid of feelings like guilt or blame

2 4.6

Treat jeans with chemicals to make them look faded

2 4.0

Make a color on clothes become lighter when you clean them

To clean the outside of a car with water and soap

Clean clothes in a washing machine instead of by hand

to stone-wash
  • Specialized
1 4.6

To wash clothes with stones to make them look faded and soft

1 4.4

Cancel an outdoor event because of heavy rain

to wash out
  • Informal
1 4.8

Make someone feel very weak and tired

Wash clothes in a washing machine rather than by hand

To clean something using water to remove dirt or chemicals

Compounds

wash up
  • Jargon
1 9.3

A short time at the end of Parliament when bills are rushed through

1 8.2

A dry stream bed that fills with water quickly after heavy rain in a desert

1 1.0

A day for doing the family's laundry

color wash
  • Specialized
5.4

A thin see-through layer of water-based paint that gives a surface a soft blended color

color wash
  • Specialized
5.5

A uniform tint added across an image to change its mood

5.3

Large flat laundry items like sheets and towels that are ironed by machine

A place that cleans a car both inside and outside

prop wash
  • Specialized
8.4

A propeller or rotor pushes air backward that can shake things nearby

rain-wash
  • Specialized
7.7

The washing away of soil from the ground by rain

wash drawing
  • Specialized
7.5

A picture that uses thin watercolor layers to make soft shades and depth

Soft absorbent cloth used to clean and shine cars and other surfaces

wash room
  • Canadian
1.0

A public room with toilets and sinks for cleaning hands

Cloth that does not need ironing after it is washed

A fabric you can wash and wear without ironing

A bowl fixed to a wall or on a stand where people clean their hands and face

wash-hand stand
  • Archaic
9.9

A small table that holds a basin and pitcher for washing hands before indoor plumbing

wish-wash
  • Archaic
9.5

Unclear or silly talk without any real meaning

wish-wash
  • Archaic
9.9

A weak, watery drink with little taste

How Acceptable

to withstand
122 4.2
to hold up
163 3.7
to wash
  • Informal
42 7.2
to fail
438 1.0

Surface Forms

wash infinitive
washed past
washed past participle
washing present participle
washes third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the informal use of wash meaning 'to be accepted' is to imagine an idea trying to 'wash' through people — if it does not pass cleanly, it 'won't wash' and people will not accept it.