wash (redirected from wash something up)

air one's dirty linen in public and wash one's dirty linen in public

Fig. to discuss private or embarrassing matters in public, especially when quarreling. (This linen refers to sheets and tablecloths or other soiled cloth.) They are arguing again. Why must they always air their dirty linen in public? She will talk to anyone about her problems. Why does she wash her dirty linen in public?

See also: air, dirty, linen, public

come out in the wash

Fig. to work out all right. (Alludes to a clothing stain that can be removed by washing.) Don't worry about that problem. It'll all come out in the wash. This trouble will go away. It'll come out in the wash.

See also: come, out

Do not wash your dirty linen in public.

Prov. Do not talk about your private family problems in public. Grandson: How are we going to make Dad stop drinking? Grandmother: Hush! Don't wash your dirty linen in public.

See also: dirty, linen, public

I have to wash a few things out. 

1. Lit. I have to wash things by hand, such as socks and underwear. I have to wash a few things out before I go to bed. She has to wash out a few things.

2. Fig. I have to do something (that keeps me from spending time with you). Jane: Time to shove off. I have to wash a few things out. John: Bye, Jane. Bill: I have to wash out a few things. Bob: Why don't you use a machine? Bill: Oh, I'll see you later.

See also: few, have, out, thing

It won't wash!

Fig. Nobody will believe it! Sorry, it won't wash. Try another approach. Don't expect me to believe that! It won't wash.

It'll all come out in the wash.

Fig. It does not matter.; No lasting damage has been done. Tom: I feel so bad about what I said to Bill. I don't think he'll ever forgive me. Mary: Oh, don't worry. It'll all come out in the wash. Jane: I'll never forgive myself for losing Mary's book. Charlie: Just tell her you're sorry, and offer to pay for the book. It'll all come out in the wash.

See also: come, out

rinse someone's mouth out (with soap) and wash someone's mouth out (with soap)

Fig. to punish one by washing one's mouth out with soap, especially for using foul language. (Usually a jocular threat.) If you say that again, I'll rinse your mouth out with soap. I will wash out your mouth if you swear.

See also: mouth, out, rinse

wash someone or something away

[for a flood of water] to carry someone or something away. The flood washed the boats away. The high water washed away much of the sand along the shoreline.

See also: away

wash someone or something off

to clean someone or something by washing. She washed the muddy children off with a hose and put their clothes right into the washing machine. Jane washed off the children.

wash someone or something overboard

[for water] to flood up and carry someone or something off the deck of a ship into the sea. The high seas washed two of the sailors overboard. The storm washed our chairs overboard.

See also: overboard

wash someone or something up 

1. to clean up someone or something by washing. Please wash the baby up as long as you are changing the diaper. I'll wash up the baby. Sam will wash himself up before dinner.

2. [for water or the waves] to bring someone or something up onto the shore or beach. Look what the waves washed up! A bottle with a note in it! The waves washed a bottle up.

See also: up

wash someone out

Fig. to deplete the strength or vitality of someone. The flu really washed me out. The disease washed out the whole class.

See also: out

wash someone out of something and wash someone out

to make it necessary for a person to leave a place or program; to wash someone up. (See also wash someone out.) That professor just loves to wash students out of the course. The professor washed out over half the class.

See also: out

wash someone up

to terminate someone in something. This error is going to wash you up as an account executive. That washed me up. Problems like this have washed up quite a few careers.

See also: up

wash something away

to clean something by scrubbing and flushing away the dirt. Fresh water will wash the seawater away. Let's wash away these muddy footprints.

See also: away

wash something down (with something)

1. to clean something by flooding with water, alcohol, etc. The doctor washed the area down and began to stitch up the wound. She washed down the wound with alcohol to clean it thoroughly. Todd washed the driveway down with water.

2. Fig. to use fluid to aid the swallowing of food or medicine. Molly washed the pills down with a gulp of coffee. She washed down the pills with a glass of water.

wash something down something

to get rid of something by flooding it down the sewer, drain, sink, etc. Wash all the soap suds down the drain and clean the sink, please. Please wash all that stuff down the drain.

wash something of something

to get something cleaned of something by washing. I washed my hair of the smell of cigarette smoke I was saturated with in the meeting. I have to get home and wash my trousers of this stain.

wash something off (of) someone or something and wash something off

to clean something off someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) I have to wash this tomato sauce off my jacket before it stains it. I will wash off the tomato stains.

wash something out 

1. to wash out the inside of something; to wash something made of fabric. I have to wash my socks out tonight. Wash the pitcher out before you put it away. I will wash out my socks tomorrow.

2. Fig. to rain on or flood an event so that it must be canceled. (Fig. on {2}.) Rain washed the game out. The storm washed out the picnic.

3. to wash or erode something out or away. The flood washed the new bushes out. The rains washed out the paving stones.

See also: out

wash something out of something and wash something out

to clean some kind of dirt from something. You had better wash all the stains out of the clothing before you put it in the dryer. You will want to wash out the dirt.

See also: out

wash away

to be carried away by water or some other liquid. The bridge washed away in the flood. All the soil washed away and left the rocks exposed.

See also: away

wash off (someone or something) and wash off of (someone or something)

to be carried off of or away from someone or something by the action of water or another liquid. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The dirt washed off of the floor easily. The label washed off this can, and now I don't know what's in it.

wash one's hands of someone or something

Fig. to end one's association with someone or something. (Fig. on the notion of getting rid of a problem by removing it as if it were dirt on the hands.) I washed my hands of Tom. I wanted no more to do with him. That car was a real headache. I washed my hands of it long ago.

See also: hand

wash out 

1. Inf. to fail and be removed from something, such as school. I studied all I could, but I still washed out. I don't want to wash out. It's my whole future.

2. Inf. to have a serious wreck; to wipe out. The little car washed out on the curve. The vehicles have a tendency to wash out when cornering.

3. Inf. to lose a large amount of money. Fred washed out on that stock deal. Lefty and Willie washed out at the racetrack.

4. Inf. to break down or collapse from exhaustion. The whole play began to wash out during the second act. It was a lost cause by the third. Finally, after a long day, I just washed out. They had to call the paramedics.

See also: out

wash over someone

Fig. [for a powerful feeling] to flood over a person. A feeling of nausea washed over me. A strong feeling of satisfaction washed over me.

wash overboard

[for someone or something] to be carried overboard (off the deck of a ship) by water. Our chairs washed overboard in the storm. I was afraid that the dog would wash overboard, so I took her below.

See also: overboard

wash up (for something)

to clean [oneself] up for something, such as a meal. Please wash up for dinner. Go and wash up!

See also: up

washed out

Inf. exhausted; tired. I feel too washed out to go to work today. Poor Ted really looks washed out.

See also: out

washed up

Fig. finished. "You're through, Tom," said the manager, "Fired—washed up!" Wilbur is washed up as a bank teller.

See also: up

Where can I wash up? and Is there some place I can wash up?

Euph. a way of asking where the toilet or bathroom is without referring to one's need to use it. (Of course, this is also appropriate to ask where one can wash one's hands.) The minute he got to the house, he asked Fred, "Where can I wash up?" Fred: Welcome. Come in. Bill: Oh, is there some place I can wash up?

See also: can

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come out in the wash  (informal)

if something secret or unpleasant comes out in the wash, people discover the truth about it They don't want the police to investigate, because they're afraid of what might come out in the wash.

See also: come, out

It'll all come out in the wash.  (informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to worry because mistakes or problems will not have a serious or permanent effect It was the wrong thing to say, but don't get too upset, I'm sure it'll all come out in the wash eventually.

See also: come, out

wash your dirty laundry/linen in public  (British & Australian) also air your dirty laundry/linen in public (American & Australian)

to talk to other people about personal things that you should keep private I was brought up to believe that it was wrong to wash your dirty linen in public.

See play dirty, talk dirty

See also: dirty, laundry, public

wash your hands of somebody/something

to stop being involved with or responsible for someone or something, usually because they have caused too many problems for you I should imagine he couldn't wait to wash his hands of the whole project.

See also: hand

Wash your mouth out!  (old-fashioned)

something that you say to someone who is younger than you when you are angry with them for swearing Wash your mouth out, young lady. There's no call for language like that!

See also: mouth

will not wash

if an excuse or an argument will not wash, people will not believe it or accept it (often + with ) That story about missing the last bus won't wash with me, young lady!

See wash dirty laundry in public

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wash your hands of somebody/something

to end all involvement with someone or something Phil seemed cold and distant, and now she was very afraid that he would wash his hands of her. You can't just wash your hands of the problem of homelessness.

See also: hand

wash down something also wash something down

to drink a liquid to help you swallow something It was a great meal washed down with several glasses of wine. He got two aspirin and washed them down with a glass of water.

wash out (something) also wash something out

to cause an activity or event not to happen because of rain Even the golf tournament was washed out this week. Storms washed the picnic out.

See also: out

wash out (of something)

to leave a program or activity because you failed to meet its standards I didn't make it through flight school - I washed out. After washing out of the military academy, he joined his father's business.

See also: out

wash up

to clean your hands She told the children to wash up for dinner.

See also: up

wash up (something) also wash something up

1. to be moved and left in another place by the flow of water Following the sinking of the ferry, a number of bodies washed up on shore. Scattered around the bridge is a lot of debris that washed up.

2. to clean the dishes after a meal Who's turn is it to wash up? I started washing up the supper dishes.

See also: up