Wash one's hands of

Definitions

• disavow responsibility or involvement
  To refuse to take responsibility for something or someone, often due to a sense of guilt or shame

• let go of something or someone
  To release or relinquish something or someone, often with a sense of finality or resignation

• reject or abandon
  To completely reject or abandon a person, idea, or situation, often in a dramatic or definitive manner

Examples of Wash one's hands of

• After discovering that his business partner had embezzled a large sum of money, John decided to wash his hands of the situation and cut all ties with his former associate.

  The idiom "wash one's hands of" means to disassociate oneself from a person, situation, or responsibility. In this example, John is distancing himself from his partner and the financial wrongdoing that has occurred.

• The company's CEO announced that they would be washing their hands of the struggling division and selling it to a competitor.

  Here, the company is discontinuing its involvement with the division and transferring ownership to another business.

• The politician was accused of accepting bribes, but he denied the allegations and claimed that he had washed his hands of any wrongdoing.

  The politician is denying any involvement in the corrupt activity and is attempting to clear his name by disavowing any responsibility.

• After realizing that her friend had betrayed her, Sarah decided to wash her hands of the relationship and move on.

  Sarah is terminating her friendship with the person who has violated her trust.

• The teacher was tired of dealing with a student who consistently caused disruptions in class, so she decided to wash her hands of the situation and refer the student to the principal.

  The teacher is transferring the responsibility of dealing with the student's behavior to a higher authority.

Conclusion

The idiom "wash one's hands of" is used in various contexts to indicate a sense of detachment or disavowal. It can be used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. It can also be used to describe a refusal to take responsibility for something or someone, often due to a sense of guilt or shame. Additionally, it can be used to indicate a release or relinquishment of something or someone, often with a sense of finality or resignation. Finally, it can convey a complete rejection or abandonment of a person, idea, or situation, often in a dramatic or definitive manner.

Origin of "Wash one's hands of"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to biblical references, where it is used to symbolize the act of relinquishing responsibility for one's actions. In the book of Matthew, Pontius Pilate famously "washes his hands" of the decision to crucify Jesus, indicating his refusal to take responsibility for the consequences of his actions.

The phrase also has roots in ancient Greek and Roman customs, where washing one's hands was a symbolic gesture to indicate innocence or absolution. This practice was often used in legal proceedings, where the accused would wash their hands to show their lack of guilt.

Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, but its origins in biblical and historical contexts remain significant. Today, "washing one's hands of" is a widely used idiom that conveys a sense of detachment, disavowal, and finality in various situations.