washes up

Washes up has two distinct meanings depending on region.

In American English, to wash up is to wash one's hands and face: Go wash up before dinner.

In British English, to wash up is to wash the dishes: I'll wash up after we eat.

Someone who is washed up—note the hyphen—is no longer successful or effective, like debris deposited on shore after the tide recedes: He's a washed-up actor living on past glory.