[Idiom] WASH YOUR HANDS OF SOMETHING. - How to Disassociate Yourself from Past Mistakes

Disassociate from responsibility.

Wash your hands of something" means to stop being responsible for or involved with something. This idiom comes from the historical act of washing one's hands to show that one is innocent of a matter, most famously demonstrated by Pontius Pilate in the Biblical story of Jesus' trial. It's often used when someone wants to end their involvement and signify that they no longer have any responsibility regarding the situation.

Example Sentences

1. He decided to wash his hands of the project.

   He chose to stop being involved with the project.

2. After the disagreement, she washed her hands of the partnership.

   After a conflict, she decided to end her involvement in the partnership.

3. John washed his hands of the problem, leaving the others to resolve the issue.

   John decided to remove himself from the problem, leaving it to others to solve.