To claim to be free from guilt, responsibility, or blame for something.
Say that something is not your fault or responsibility, as if cleaning it off yourself.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
To declare oneself free from guilt, blame, or responsibility for something.
"You cannot simply wash yourself of the consequences of that decision."
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing... he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.
— Matthew 27:24, King James Bible
To physically wash one's body free of something.
Say that something is not your fault or responsibility, as if cleaning it off yourself.
A literary or formal variant of the more common 'wash one's hands of'. The image comes from the biblical story of Pontius Pilate washing his hands to symbolise his refusal to take responsibility for Jesus's crucifixion.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "wash oneself of" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.