ENGLISH
REFERENCE

wash out

idiom
Meaning

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


Origin

disputed origin

From wash + out.

Examples
SIMPLE

The heavy rain will wash out the dirt path.

CONTEXTUAL

Years of flooding had begun to wash out the riverbank, making the trail unsafe for hikers.

COMPLEX

The ancient inscription, once deep and clear, had slowly washed out over centuries of relentless tides and storms.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    come out in the wash

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

  2. 02

    wash a blackamoor white

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

  3. 03

    wash one's dirty laundry in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  4. 04

    wash one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  5. 05

    wash oneself of

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

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