wash-out

A heavy rain caused a wash-out on the dirt road.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A failure or disappointment: "wash-out" refers to an event, plan, or person that is completely unsuccessful or fails to meet expectations.
   • A person who is ineffective: In informal usage, a "wash-out" describes someone who is incapable or repeatedly unsuccessful in their endeavors.
   • A place eroded by water: In geography or engineering, a "wash-out" is a channel or hollow formed by the erosive action of water, such as a gully or eroded section of a road.

2. Verb (rare, as a phrasal noun):

   • To be eliminated or cancelled: Though less common, "wash-out" can function as a noun derived from the phrasal verb "wash out," meaning to be removed or canceled due to failure.

Usage Examples

• Noun (failure):

  • The concert was a complete wash-out because of the heavy rain. (The event was a total failure due to bad weather.)
  • His attempt to start a business was a wash-out; he lost all his money. (His business venture was unsuccessful.)

• Noun (ineffective person):

  • He’s a wash-out as a manager — no one respects him. (He is an ineffective manager.)

• Noun (eroded place):

  • The heavy rains created a wash-out in the middle of the dirt road. (The water eroded a channel across the road.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a wash-out": to be a complete failure or letdown.

  • The party was a wash-out because no one showed up. (The party failed entirely.)

• "to feel like a wash-out": to feel completely exhausted or defeated.

  • After the exam, I felt like a total wash-out. (I felt utterly drained and unsuccessful.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wash out (phrasal verb): to remove something by washing; to cancel or fail.

  • The stain will wash out with hot water. (The mark will be removed by washing.)
  • The game was washed out due to lightning. (The game was canceled.)

• Washout (noun, alternative spelling): same meaning as "wash-out," often written as one word.

  • The project was a washout from the start. (The project was a failure.)

Synonyms

• Failure: a lack of success in achieving a goal.
• Fiasco: a complete and often ridiculous failure.
• Flop: a failure, especially in entertainment or business.
• Letdown: a disappointment or anticlimax.

Phrasal Verbs

• Wash out: to be removed by washing; to fail or be canceled.

  • The dirt will wash out of the fabric easily. (The dirt will be removed by washing.)
  • The race was washed out by the storm. (The race was canceled due to bad weather.)

• Wash away: to remove completely by water.

  • The flood washed away the bridge. (The water destroyed the bridge.)

Related Idioms

• A wash-out in the making: a situation that is clearly heading toward failure.

  • The poorly planned event was a wash-out in the making. (It was destined to fail from the beginning.)

• To be washed out: to be exhausted or drained of energy.

  • After working all night, I felt completely washed out. (I felt extremely tired.)