词源趣谈 | wash one's hands of something 推卸对……的责任

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wash one's hands of something 指推卸一切责任。比如:

  • If you won't listen to me, I'll wash my hands of you.
    你不听我的话,我就不过问你的事了。

这一表达源自《钦定版圣经》中《马太福音》第27章第24节:

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
彼拉多见说也无济于事,反要生乱,就拿水在众人面前洗手,说,流这义人的血,罪不在我,你们承当吧。

本丢·彼拉多通过洗手以示自己与百姓的意愿相背,并不愿意把耶稣送上刑架。