wash out

Verb

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

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To wash the inside of something.
   • We must wash out the bins; they are full of maggots.
   • 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.1952 February, J Pelham Maitland, “Locomotive Working on Sussex Branches Fifty Years Ago”, in Railway Magazine, page 83
2. (idiomatic, transitive) To remove something by washing.
   • He washed out the stain.
3. (idiomatic, intransitive) 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.
   • The railway, which is single track throughout, skirts the left bank of the estuary of the River Colne, and was washed out over a length of about three miles.1953 December, “Brightlingsea trains to be Restored”, in Railway Magazine, page 793
5. (idiomatic) To cancel due to bad weather.
   • The continuous rain washed out the cricket match.

   Synonyms:

   rain off

6. (idiomatic, transitive) To remove or obscure (something) by saturation (of light, noise, etc.)
   • The sun washes out the stars of the night sky.
   • This year's display is particularly favorable because the shower peaks on the night of the new moon, leaving skies free from bright moonlight that can wash out fainter meteors.2026 August 12, Daisy Dobrijevic, “Perseid meteor shower peaks under perfect skies tonight — here's what to expect”, in Space.com, archived from the original on 12 Aug 2026
7. (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.
8. (idiomatic) To fail utterly at something one has attempted.