Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To remove something by washing with water or other liquid, often with soap or a cleaning agent: "wash off" means to clean a surface or object by applying a liquid, causing dirt, stains, or other substances to be removed and carried away.

Usage

• "Wash off" is a separable phrasal verb. The object (the thing being cleaned) can often come between "wash" and "off" or after the entire phrase.
• It is typically used for cleaning surfaces (like skin, dishes, cars) or removing substances (like mud, paint, makeup).
• Example structure: "wash [something] off" or "wash off [something]".

Examples

• Phrasal Verb:
  • Please wash off the mud from your boots before coming inside.
  • This soap will wash the grease off your hands easily.
  • The rain helped to wash the chalk drawings off the sidewalk.
  • Can you wash off these plates?

Advanced Usage

• "to wash something off (of) something": A common construction specifying both the substance removed and the surface it is removed from. The preposition "of" is often optional in informal speech.
  • She washed the dye off (of) her hair.
  • We need to wash the salt off the car to prevent rust.

Variants and Related Words

• Wash away (phrasal verb): To remove or carry away by the action of water, often used for stains or things on a surface, but also for larger concepts (e.g., "wash away doubts").
• Wash out (phrasal verb): To remove a stain by washing; also has other meanings like canceling an event due to rain or fading color.
• Rinse off (phrasal verb): To remove soap, dirt, or a substance with clean water, often the final step after washing.

Synonyms

• Clean off: To make something clean by removing dirt from its surface.
• Rinse off: To remove something with a flow of water.
• Scrub off: To remove something by rubbing hard, usually with a brush and soap.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wash down: To clean a large surface or object with water; also to swallow food with a drink.

  • He washed down the wall with a hose.
  • She washed the pill down with a glass of water.

• Wash up: To wash one's hands and face; (British English) to wash dishes.

  • Go wash up before dinner.
  • I'll wash up after the meal.

Related Idioms

• Come out in the wash: A saying meaning that problems or difficulties will eventually be resolved. (Note: This idiom uses "wash" as a noun, not the phrasal verb "wash off").
  • Don't worry about these small details; it will all come out in the wash.

Verb

1. remove by the application of water or other liquid and soap or some other cleaning agent
   • he washed the dirt from his coat
   • The nurse washed away the blood
   • Can you wash away the spots on the windows?
   • he managed to wash out the stains