wash one's hands
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 wash one's hands
- 2 wash one's hands of (something)、withdraw completely from (something)
This expression usually means cleaning your hands with water, often with soap. Figuratively, it can mean ending one’s involvement in an activity and refusing any further part in it.
wash one's hands
To clean your hands with water, usually using soap as well.
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อย่าลืมล้างมือด้วยสบู่ yàa lʉʉm láaŋ mʉʉ dûay sabùu Don't forget to wash your hands with soap. อย่าลืมล้างมือด้วยสบู่ details
wash one's hands of (something)、withdraw completely from (something)
Figuratively, to cut ties with an activity and have no further involvement or responsibility in it.
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เขาตัดสินใจล้างมือจากธุรกิจผิดกฎหมาย khǎw tàtsǐncay láaŋ mʉʉ càak thúrákìt phìt kòtmǎay He decided to get out of the illegal business for good. เขาตัดสินใจล้างมือจากธุรกิจผิดกฎหมาย details
Learning notes
Explanation
ล้างมือ combines ล้าง (“to wash”) with มือ (“hand”). Without a special context, it normally refers to literally washing one’s hands. Common patterns include ล้างมือด้วยสบู่ (“wash one’s hands with soap”) and ล้างมือให้สะอาด (“wash one’s hands thoroughly”). Figuratively, it describes making a clean break from an activity and taking no further part in it. This use commonly appears as ล้างมือจาก..., meaning “to wash one’s hands of” or “to get out of” something.
Usage
The literal sense is common in everyday hygiene instructions at home, school, restaurants, and medical facilities. The figurative sense is used when someone completely leaves an activity behind, especially criminal or otherwise disreputable work, though it can also describe cutting ties with politics or a profession.
Caution
The figurative use suggests a decisive break and may imply that the former activity was problematic. For an ordinary resignation, ลาออก is more neutral; for simply stopping an activity, เลิก is usually more broadly applicable.
Differences from similar words
2 wash one's hands of (something) synonyms
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ถอนตัว means to withdraw from a plan, competition, organization, or similar undertaking. ล้างมือ more strongly suggests making a clean break from a former activity and is often used when leaving something disreputable behind.