false accusation; unfounded suspicion; groundless charge
Refers to being wrongly suspected or accused of something one did not do. Often used in the phrase 濡れ衣を着せる (to falsely accuse someone).
He was falsely accused and forced to resign from the company.
That's a completely groundless charge.
wet clothes
Original, literal meaning of 'wet clothes'. Rarely used in modern Japanese except in historical or literary contexts; the figurative sense is dominant.
In classical texts, 濡れ衣 is sometimes used literally to mean wet clothes.
Standard spelling.
Irregular okurigana usage; less common but still encountered.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
Originally referred to wet clothes, but the figurative meaning of 'false accusation' is now dominant. The exact origin of the figurative sense is uncertain; it may derive from the idea of being 'soaked' in an undeserved blame.