washing one's hands of
Refusing further involvement
Washing one's hands of something means refusing further responsibility for it, disavowing involvement or obligation: I'm washing my hands of this whole mess.
The phrase evokes Pontius Pilate's gesture when sentencing Jesus—a public declaration of non-responsibility.
You wash your hands of troublesome projects, difficult people, or situations you've decided aren't worth your continued effort.
- indifferenceLack of interest
- not my problemDismissal of accountability
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- cutting tiesEnding a relationship completely
apathy · looking the other way · cleansing · withdrawal · disengagement · walking away · hypocrisy · passing the buck · absolution · abdication · purification · symbolic gestures · distancing · throwing in the towel · self-preservation · exoneration · denial · blame-shifting
washing one's hands ofanswering for
Accepting responsibility for another
stepping up · facing the music · manning up · taking responsibility · taking charge
washing one's hands ofseeing through
Perceiving hidden truth
rolling up one's sleeves · standing by · diving in · getting one's hands dirty · taking on
washing one's hands ofstanding up for
championing · fighting for · doing the right thing · bearing witness
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