wash one's hands of

Idioms and Phrases

Refuse to accept responsibility for; abandon or renounce. For example, I've done all I can for him, and now I'm washing my hands of him . This expression alludes to Pontius Pilate's washing his hands before having Jesus put to death, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27:24).

Example Sentences

"At the time, online critics noted the privilege required to wash one’s hands of such demonstrations and binge on cake instead," Bradley said, adding that Fey "admitted, they were right."

From Fox News

"We think it's a dereliction of responsibility to expect the Syrian Democratic Forces to solve this problem or to expect the Iraqi government to solve this problem or to simply wash one's hands of the problem altogether," he said.

From BBC

To simply wash one’s hands of reality, and pass the buck for responsibility onto scientists with no policymaking authority, is to be a science denier.

From MSNBC

V. resign; give up, throw up; lay down, throw up the cards, wash one's hands of, abjure, renounce, forego, disclaim, retract; deny &c.

From Project Gutenberg

"If they're each and all so extraordinary then, isn't that why one must just resign one's self to wash one's hands of them—to be lost?"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abandon
• break with
• disavow
• dismiss
• disown
• forsake
• recant
• renounce
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• spurn