Question

Wash Your Hands of Something to withdraw from something; to end one's association or responsibility for something; to disavow, disclaim, or disown

Accepted Answer

I'm tired of arguing with my lab partners, so I'm washing my hands of the science project. This expression comes from the Bible. Pontius Pilate, a Roman official in Judea, announced that he could not save Jesus from being executed. He then washed his hands right in front of a crowd of people, saying that he was not guilty of Jesus' death. When you "wash your hands of something," you're not actually at a sink with soap and water. You're just saying that it's not your responsibility, or you don't want to be involved further.

Idiom	Wash Your Hands of Something
Example	I'm tired of arguing with my lab partners, so I'm washing my hands of the science project.
Meaning	to withdraw from something; to end one's association or responsibility for something; to disavow, disclaim, or disown
Origin	This expression comes from the Bible. Pontius Pilate, a Roman official in Judea, announced that he could not save Jesus from being executed. He then washed his hands right in front of a crowd of people, saying that he was not guilty of Jesus' death. When you "wash your hands of something," you're not actually at a sink with soap and water. You're just saying that it's not your responsibility, or you don't want to be involved further.

Hands Wash Tired Arguing Lab Partners Washing Science