contaminate

contaminate (someone or something) with (something)

To pollute someone or something through exposure to something foul or dangerous. Be sure to wash your hands first so you don't contaminate the sterile area with germs. Don't let anyone slip by and contaminate the crime scene with so much as a footprint! The detectives haven't had a chance to look things over yet. Hold on, did you use that pipette already? You don't want to contaminate the experiment with any other chemicals.

See also: contaminate

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

contaminate someone or something with something

to get someone or something dirty with something; to pollute someone or something with something. Something in the hospital contaminated the patient with a serious infection. The campers learned not to contaminate the outdoors with anything they carried in.

See also: contaminate

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.