Wash your hands of

Meaning

Withdraw from involvement or responsibility.

Usage

Used when someone refuses further participation.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Biblical imagery of Pilate washing his hands to disclaim guilt.

Used since the 1st century and continues in modern speech.