wash one's hands
Lather and rinse
To wash one's hands of something is to disclaim responsibility or refuse further involvement: I wash my hands of this whole mess.
The phrase alludes to Pontius Pilate washing his hands before the crowd to signal he bore no guilt for Jesus's crucifixion.
The literal sense—cleaning one's hands with water—needs no separate entry.
Deny connection or responsibility
- disownReject connection to
- renounceFormally give up
- disavowDeny any association
- abandonLeave behind permanently
reject · repudiate · dissociate · Pontius Pilate · walk away · turn one's back · not my problem · blame-shifting
Fatty alkali cleanser
- waterClear essential liquid
- scrubClean by rubbing hard
- latherFoamy soap bubbles
- rinseWash without scrubbing
sanitizer · faucet · sink · towel · antibacterial · germs · bacteria · disinfectant
Free from moral wrong
vindicate · clean slate · unburdened · guilt-free · atonement · forgiveness · unaccountable
Ritualized washing of body
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- mikvehJewish purification immersion pool
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
sanctification · cleansing rite · holy water · spiritual cleansing · consecration · ritual purity · religious observance
disclaim
Deny connection or responsibility
abandon · reject · repudiate · dissociate · Pontius Pilate · walk away · turn one's back · not my problem · blame-shifting
soap
Fatty alkali cleanser
rinse · sanitizer · faucet · sink · towel · antibacterial · germs · bacteria · disinfectant · drying
innocent
Free from moral wrong
guiltless · vindicate · clean slate · unburdened · guilt-free · atonement · forgiveness · unaccountable
ablution
Ritualized washing of body
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- mikvehJewish purification immersion pool
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
lustration · sanctification · cleansing rite · holy water · spiritual cleansing · consecration · ritual purity · religious observance
wash one's handstake responsibility
Accept fault for outcomes
get one's hands dirty · step up · take ownership · own it · own up to
hand, wash, hands, washing, washed, handful, handed, washer, washes