wash a blackamoor white
To labour in vain, especially so as to present something as better than it really is; to whitewash.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Trying to change his bad reputation is like trying to wash a blackamoor white.”
“The company tried to hide its history of corruption, but it was like trying to wash a blackamoor white.”
“The politician's attempt to rebrand his disastrous legacy was a futile effort, akin to trying to wash a blackamoor white.”
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come out in the wash
Of problems or difficulties, to work out, resolve, or become understood eventually and naturally.
- 02
pearly whites
Teeth.
- 03
wash one's dirty laundry in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 04
wash one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 05
wash oneself of
To stop caring about (something); to reject any semblance of (something).
- 06
wash out
To wear away by the flow of water; to erode.
- 07
washed out
Very tired and lacking energy or animation.
- 08
white bread
Bread made from white flour.
Last updated August 10, 2026