Search
Select the dictionary language
to eventually resolve without intervention, typically after a period of time
![to [come] out in the wash definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46643/original/?type=jpeg "to [come] out in the wash definition and meaning")
What is the origin of the idiom "come out in the wash" and when to use it?
The idiom "come out in the wash" finds its roots in the historical practice of hand-washing and laundering clothes. When garments were washed by hand, some stains or imperfections were not immediately visible but would become apparent after the clothes had been dried and ironed. In a figurative sense, this phrase is used to describe a situation that will eventually resolve on its own, often without the need for active intervention, after a period of time has passed.
(of a hidden fact) to be eventually revealed or discovered
What is the origin of the idiom "come out in the wash" and when to use it?
The idiom "come out in the wash" has its origins in laundry practices of the past. When people washed their clothes by hand, certain stains or imperfections might not be immediately noticeable but would become apparent once the clothes were dried and ironed. Figuratively, the phrase is used to convey the idea that a situation, fact, or truth will become clear or resolved over time, much like how hidden issues might emerge after the washing process.
