足あしを洗あらう

expression, godan verb (-u)

quit a shady business; wash one's hands of; go straight

Idiomatic expression for leaving a disreputable occupation or lifestyle and starting anew. Often implies a decisive break with the past.

• 彼かれは暴ぼう力りょく団だんから足あしを洗あらって、今いまは小ちいさな店みせを経けい営えいしている。

  He quit the yakuza and now runs a small shop.

• もう悪わるい仲なか間まとは縁えんを切きって、足あしを洗あらうつもりだ。

  I'm going to cut ties with my bad friends and turn over a new leaf.

expression, godan verb (-u)

wash one's feet

Literal meaning of washing one's feet. Not commonly used in everyday conversation; the idiomatic sense is far more frequent.

• 海うみから帰かえったら、まず足あしを洗あらってください。

  When you come back from the beach, please wash your feet first.