wash out

From wash +‎ out.

wash out (third-person singular simple present washes out, present participle washing out, simple past and past participle washed out)

1. To wash the inside of something.

   We must wash out the bins; they are full of maggots.

   • 1952 February, J Pelham Maitland, “Locomotive Working on Sussex Branches Fifty Years Ago”, in Railway Magazine, page 83:

     This engine, and the branch engine, were washed out regularly after six days' work by the pumpman (but not on a Monday) the spare engine being used to cover their normal duties on such occasions.

2. To remove something by washing.

   He washed out the stain.

3. To be removed by washing.

   That stain washed out easily.

4. (idiomatic) To wear away by the flow of water; to erode.

   The sandcastle was washed out by the tide.

   • 2020 August 26, “Network News: Shapps orders rapid review of flash flood resilience from NR”, in RAIL, page 9:

     Storm Jorge on February 29-March 1 washed out lines at Dutton Viaduct, Mountain Ash and around Aberdare.

5. (idiomatic) To cancel due to bad weather.

   Synonym: rain off

   The continuous rain washed out the cricket match.

6. (idiomatic) To lose traction while going around a turn, especially in cycling, motorsports and skiing/snowboarding.

   The rider washed out around that last turn and hit a tree.

7. To fail utterly at something one has attempted.

• washout, wash-out

• outwash