ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wash a blackamoor white

idiom
Meaning

To labour in vain, especially so as to present something as better than it really is; to whitewash.


Examples
SIMPLE

Trying to change his bad reputation is like trying to wash a blackamoor white.

CONTEXTUAL

The company tried to hide its history of corruption, but it was like trying to wash a blackamoor white.

COMPLEX

The politician's attempt to rebrand his disastrous legacy was a futile effort, akin to trying to wash a blackamoor white.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    come out in the wash

    Of problems or difficulties, to work out, resolve, or become understood eventually and naturally.

  2. 02

    wash one's dirty laundry in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  3. 03

    wash one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  4. 04

    wash oneself of

    To stop caring about (something); to reject any semblance of (something).

  5. 05

    wash out

    To wear away by the flow of water; to erode.

  6. 06

    white bread

    Bread made from white flour.

  7. 07

    white coat hypertension

    Elevated blood pressure measured by a medical practitioner and deemed to result from the patient's emotional response to the medical environment.

  8. 08

    white hat

    A good person; a hero.

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