se laver les mains

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sə la.ve le mɛ̃/

• France (Lyon)

  (file)

Verb

se laver les mains

1. (literally) to wash one's hands

   Je me lave toujours les mains après avoir mangé.

   I always wash my hands after eating.

2. (figuratively, transitive with de) to wash one's hands of something

   Je me lave les mains de cet emploi.

   I'm washing my hands of this job.

Usage notes

• Very often used in the form s'en laver les mains.

  Ce n’est plus mon problème. Je m’en lave les mains !

  It's not my problem anymore. I'm washing my hands of it!

See also

• avoir du sang sur les mains