Street voices
Hugues
·
United States
"Washed. When someone who was once great is no longer. They've lost their spark and they are now declining. Oh my God. Dude, Izzy just got TKO'd by Joe Pyfer. My goat is washed."
What it means
A pretty brutal way to say someone’s past their prime and running on fumes from old glory. People use it for athletes, musicians, celebs, or that one mate who still acts like a win from years back means they’ve still got it. It’s dismissive, sometimes unfair, and basically means people think the comeback magic’s gone.
Usage examples
"Dave called our singer washed up, yeah? Ten minutes later she smashes the set, and he’s at the bar spilling his pint like a proper muppet."
"Critics called the director washed up after one flop, then his next film won every award going and the talk went quiet."
"He’s still dining out on that one viral tune from 2016. Be serious, man, he’s washed up."
"They said the striker was washed up after a dry spell, then he bagged two at the weekend and shut everyone right up."
"They keep wheeling him out like he’s still that guy from ten years ago. Be honest, he’s washed up."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
It comes from the literal image of something getting washed up on shore. By the late 19th and early 20th century, English started using washed-up for people who were seen as spent, finished, or past their best. Same sea-battered picture, just pointed at careers, talent, or reputation instead of driftwood.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.