come out in the wash

Fig. to work out all right. (Alludes to a clothing stain that can be removed by washing.) Don't worry about that problem. It'll all come out in the wash. This trouble will go away. It'll come out in the wash.
See also: come, out

Do not wash your dirty linen in public.
Prov. Do not talk about your private family problems in public. Grandson: How are we going to make Dad stop drinking? Grandmother: Hush! Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
See also: dirty, linen, public

I have to wash a few things out.
1. Lit. I have to wash things by hand, such as socks and underwear. I have to wash a few things out before I go to bed. She has to wash out a few things.
2. Fig. I have to do something (that keeps me from spending time with you). Jane: Time to shove off. I have to wash a few things out. John: Bye, Jane. Bill: I have to wash out a few things. Bob: Why don't you use a machine? Bill: Oh, I'll see you later.
See also: few, have, out, thing

It won't wash!
Fig. Nobody will believe it! Sorry, it won't wash. Try another approach. Don't expect me to believe that! It won't wash.

It'll all come out in the wash.

Fig. It does not matter.; No lasting damage has been done. Tom: I feel so bad about what I said to Bill. I don't think he'll ever forgive me. Mary: Oh, don't worry. It'll all come out in the wash. Jane: I'll never forgive myself for losing Mary's book. Charlie: Just tell her you're sorry, and offer to pay for the book. It'll all come out in the wash.
See also: come, out

rinse someone's mouth out (with soap) and wash someone's mouth out (with soap)
Fig. to punish one by washing one's mouth out with soap, especially for using foul language. (Usually a jocular threat.) If you say that again, I'll rinse your mouth out with soap. I will wash out your mouth if you swear.
See also: mouth, out, rinse

wash someone or something away

[for a flood of water] to carry someone or something away. The flood washed the boats away. The high water washed away much of the sand along the shoreline.
See also: away

wash someone or something off

to clean someone or something by washing. She washed the muddy children off with a hose and put their clothes right into the washing machine. Jane washed off the children.

wash someone or something overboard

[for water] to flood up and carry someone or something off the deck of a ship into the sea. The high seas washed two of the sailors overboard. The storm washed our chairs overboard.
See also: overboard

wash someone or something up

1. to clean up someone or something by washing. Please wash the baby up as long as you are changing the diaper. I'll wash up the baby. Sam will wash himself up before dinner.
2. [for water or the waves] to bring someone or something up onto the shore or beach. Look what the waves washed up! A bottle with a note in it! The waves washed a bottle up.
See also: up

wash someone out

Fig. to deplete the strength or vitality of someone. The flu really washed me out. The disease washed out the whole class.
See also: out

wash someone out of something and wash someone out

to make it necessary for a person to leave a place or program; to wash someone up. (See also wash someone out.) That professor just loves to wash students out of the course. The professor washed out over half the class.
See also: out

wash someone up

to terminate someone in something. This error is going to wash you up as an account executive. That washed me up. Problems like this have washed up quite a few careers.
See also: up

wash something away

to clean something by scrubbing and flushing away the dirt. Fresh water will wash the seawater away. Let's wash away these muddy footprints.
See also: away

wash something down (with something)

1. to clean something by flooding with water, alcohol, etc. The doctor washed the area down and began to stitch up the wound. She washed down the wound with alcohol to clean it thoroughly. Todd washed the driveway down with water.
2. Fig. to use fluid to aid the swallowing of food or medicine. Molly washed the pills down with a gulp of coffee. She washed down the pills with a glass of water.

wash something down something

to get rid of something by flooding it down the sewer, drain, sink, etc. Wash all the soap suds down the drain and clean the sink, please. Please wash all that stuff down the drain.