Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

to wash your hands of someone

idiom

/tə wɑʃ jʊər hændz əv ˈsʌmˌwʌn/

Definition

To end all association with someone; to disassociate oneself from someone or something, often due to dissatisfaction or disagreement.

Examples

After the scandal, the politician decided to wash his hands of his former associates.
She told him she was going to wash her hands of the whole situation and move on with her life.
When he realized their plans were dishonest, he washed his hands of the project.

Meaning

This phrase indicates a desire to remove oneself from involvement or responsibility concerning another person, typically because that person has behaved in a way that is unacceptable or undesirable.