washed one's hands of
Refused further involvement
To wash one's hands of something is to refuse further responsibility for it, declaring oneself done with a troublesome matter or person: I've washed my hands of the whole project.
The phrase evokes Pontius Pilate's biblical gesture of disclaiming guilt for Christ's crucifixion.
It suggests both finality and moral distancing—not merely quitting, but publicly renouncing involvement.
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- neglectFailure to provide care
- renounceFormally give up
- throw in the towelConcede defeat voluntarily
- let it goCease fixating on something
give up on · Pontius Pilate · gesture · evade · off the hook · avoid · forsake · walk away · absolution · relinquish · withdraw · clean break · sever · cut ties · purification · shirk · detach · disown
washed one's hands ofowned up to
answered for · shouldered · stepped up · faced the music · took it upon oneself
washed one's hands ofdug into
Examined or consumed eagerly
rolled up one's sleeves · saw through · plunged into · took on · embraced
washed one's hands ofstood by
Supported or awaited
looked after · cared for · embraced · championed · took to heart
washed, washing, washer, washable, unwashed, hands, handed, handing, handful