wash up - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

wash up

to clean one's hands, face, or body, typically using water and soapto clean one's hands, face, or body, typically using water and soap

Examples

We should wash up before sitting down for dinner.
The mechanic needed to wash up after fixing the car engine.
She always washes up after playing with her pet.

Synonyms

1 / 6

wash up

Third Person

washes up

Present Participle

washing up

Past Tense

washed up

Past Participle

washed up

1

to clean one's hands, face, or body, typically using water and soap

We should wash up before sitting down for dinner.
The mechanic needed to wash up after fixing the car engine.
She always washes up after playing with her pet.
It's essential to wash up before handling food to maintain proper hygiene.
They washed up quickly and headed out for the evening.

Synonyms:

2

to clean plates, cups, bowls, or other kitchen items after eating

transitive

In some cultures, it's customary for the entire family to wash up together.
After the picnic, everyone helped in washing up the picnicware.
The restaurant staff quickly washed up the dishes after closing time.
I'm not washing up all these dishes.
Let's wash up these dirty plates before guests arrive.

Synonyms:

3

to be carried to a destination by the force of water

During the high tide, remnants of a sunken boat washed up on the beach.
Following the storm, a large amount of plastic washed up on the shore.
A collection of old bottles washed up near the riverbank.
Several mysterious containers washed up on the shore.
Hazardous materials from the industrial spill washed up on the riverbanks.

4

to become very tired

transitive

The continuous studying washed her up before the exam.
The constant travel for work can wash up employees over time.
The emotional stress from the situation washed him up both mentally and physically.
The prolonged illness really washed him up.

Synonyms:

tucker out beat tucker exhaust

5

(of water or a current) to move things to a specific location

Heavy rains can wash up pollutants onto the shores of the lake.
The river overflowed, causing various items to wash up on the banks.
The river washed up logs on the riverbank during the flood.
The storm washed various items up from the sunken ship.

6

to appear or come to a location or situation unexpectedly

The adventurous explorers washed up in an undiscovered cave.
The traveler washed up in an unfamiliar town after taking the wrong train.
The lost puppy eventually washed up on a neighbor's doorstep.
The GPS malfunctioned, and we eventually washed up at an isolated beach.
After taking the wrong turn, we washed up in a quaint little town.