wash

wash1 [ waʃ ] verb ***

1. ) transitive to clean something, usually with soap and water:

I've got to wash the dishes.

a freshly washed shirt

a ) intransitive or transitive to clean a part of your body, usually with soap and water:

Wash your hands before you touch the food.

He washed and dressed quickly.

2. ) transitive if the ocean washes an object somewhere, it carries it there:

washed ashore: Some very strange things get washed ashore here.

a ) LITERARY if the ocean washes an area of land, it touches it:

The island's western shore is washed by the warm waters of the Pacific.

3. ) intransitive LITERARY if a feeling washes over or through you, you feel it very strongly and unexpectedly:

She felt anxiety wash over her.

something does/will not wash

used for saying that you do not believe or accept a particular idea, excuse, or way of behaving:

Such a careless attitude regarding safety will not wash any more.

wash your hands of

to say or show that you do not want to be involved with someone or something and that you are not responsible for them:

I've decided to wash my hands of her.

wash your hands of the affair/matter: The government had washed its hands of the affair.

,wash a`way phrasal verb transitive

if something such as rain or a river washes something away, it carries it away:

Heavy rains have washed away the bridge.

,wash `down phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to drink something after putting food or medication in your mouth, especially so you can swallow more easily:

He had a large slice of pizza washed down with beer.

2. ) to wash the whole surface of something:

Use hot water and detergent to wash down kitchen counters.

,wash `off phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

if you wash dirt off something or if dirt washes off, you remove it by washing:

Wash the dirt off potatoes before you cook them.

Don't worry about the dirty marks. They'll wash off easily.

,wash `out phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to wash something quickly, especially the inside of a container:

Don't you ever wash out your coffee cups?

2. ) intransitive if a substance washes out of cloth, it can be removed by washing:

Permanent dyes won't wash out.

All the color has washed out of these old curtains.

3. ) transitive AMERICAN if rain washes out an event, it prevents it from taking place or from continuing:

It looked like the first game of the season would be washed out.

,wash `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive AMERICAN to wash yourself, especially your hands and face:

Why don't you go wash up before we eat.

2. ) intransitive or transitive if the ocean washes something up somewhere, it carries it and leaves it there:

Two whales have been washed up on the beach.

Some of the oil has washed up on a neighboring island.

3. ) intransitive or transitive BRITISH to wash plates, cups, spoons, etc. after a meal

4. ) intransitive INFORMAL if someone washes up somewhere, they arrive there unexpectedly after a long time:

He stays out for four days solid and eventually washes up at his brother's house.

wash

wash 2 [ waʃ ] noun *

1. ) count the process of washing someone or something:

These pants need a wash.

After a few washes the color faded.

give something a wash: I'll give my hair a quick wash before we go.

2. ) the wash clothes that will be washed or have just been washed: LAUNDRY:

do the wash: I'll have to do the wash tomorrow.

in the wash: Did you put the blanket in the wash?

3. ) singular the flowing movement of water in the ocean:

the wash of a passing boat

a ) the sound of water flowing in the ocean

4. ) count LITERARY a thin layer of something such as color or light:

The last wash of sunlight shone through the clouds.

a wash of something

a sudden strong feeling:

a wash of pain/warmth/anger

something will come out in the wash INFORMAL

1. ) used for saying that people will always find out the truth about something

2. ) used for saying that you are sure you will find a solution to the problem you have