wash out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to wash (the inside of something) so as to remove (dirt)

2. Also: wash off.  to remove or be removed by washing

   grass stains don't wash out easily

3. (tr) to cancel or abandon (a sporting event)

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noun

1. geology

   1. erosion of the earth's surface by the action of running water

   2. a narrow channel produced by this erosion

2. informal

   1. a total failure or disaster

   2. an incompetent person

3. a sporting or social event that is cancelled due to rain

4. aeronautics a decrease in the angle of attack of an aircraft wing towards the wing tip

wash out Idioms  

1. Remove or be removed by washing; also, cause to fade by laundering. For example, Give it to me; I'll wash out that stain , or The bleach has really washed out that bright print . [Mid-1700s]

2. Wear away or be worn away by the flow of water, as in The river rose and washed out the dam , or The road has completely washed out . [Mid-1700s]

3. Deplete or be depleted of energy, as in Working on her feet all day just washed her out , or I just washed out after that long tennis match . [Mid-1800s]

4. Eliminate or be eliminated as unsatisfactory, as in He washed out of medical school after just one year , or After only two months as chairman I washed out . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]

5. Cancel owing to bad weather, as in The picnic was washed out . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s] Also see washed out .

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Example Sentences

As natural disasters in Los Angeles go, a rain delay temporarily washing out a music festival is pretty low stakes.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts say radar has served as a way to double check what the cameras, which are susceptible to being washed out by bright light, are seeing.

From Washington Post

Ferranti was among some 160 people stranded for a week after high water topped bridges over the South Fork River and entirely washed out one across Cinnamon Creek.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms. Stessman said that, although it was unlikely that the heavy rain and runoff had washed out the bridge, rain could have damaged it or flooded the tracks.

From New York Times

Flooding even washed out the bridge leading to the school.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• break down
• break up
• come apart
• crumble
• decay
• decompose
• degenerate
• descend
• disband
• dismantle
• rot
• sever
• shatter
• sink
• splinter
• wither