wash (redirected from washing dirty laundry in public)

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

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: all, come, it'll

wash your dirty laundry/linen in public (British & Australian, 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 also: dirty, laundry, public

wash your hands of someone/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. That story about missing the last bus won't wash with me, young lady! (often + with)

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wash down something

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.

See also: down

wash your hands of someone/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 out (something)

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.

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.

wash up

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

wash up (something)

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.