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(noun) A person who has been spat out of a city, a career, an endeavor, (or anything of the like, usually of a status that is generally perceived as "higher") and is back down to the level of normal people. Originates from the concept of an ocean's waves "washing up" the junk (i.e., seaweed, starfish, beachwood, plastic, debris, dead fish, etc.) onto the shore after having been spat out of the ocean.
After pursuing acting in Los Angeles with mediocre success, he came back home to Kansas, where the folks thought of him as somewhat of a celebrity, but deep down, he knew he was just an LA wash-up.

She lost the congressional race, was booted from her incumbent seat, and had to pack her bags and go back to being a regular old civilian. She tried her best to not make a big presence or be seen much in her hometown, lest her community members recognize her as the political wash-up that she now is.
wash-up by Siren2277 May 12, 2021
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A wash-up is someone, whose best years are over, a worn out has-been, who is past his prime and over the hill.
Heckler: "It is not funny, that's why you're a reject, never had no shows, never had no movies, 'Seinfeld' - that's it!"
Michael Richards: "Oh, I guess you got me there. You're absolutely right. I'm just a wash-up. Gotta stand on the stage."
wash-up by Theowoll January 13, 2011
a ghetto bath.... u mainly take a damp towell/wash rag.. and wash yourself while standing w/ full clothes on...
"Boy, you had bath today?" "Momma i had a wash up!"
wash up by greg wiley August 30, 2004
to cleanse another of an embarrassing moment.
Like when a person does or says something stupid or gross, it would be appropriate to tell them to "wash up."
Wash up by Ryne and Reid October 7, 2006
(verb)Common phrase used in maritimes referring to the act of washing hands or simply cleaning ones self.
"Bobby, go wash up before supper, you've been playing outside all day"
"But Mom!..."
wash up by deh_tripper March 14, 2005
John: You straight?

Jacob: Yeah, man. Imma get the soft from my dude and wash up myself.
Wash Up by SixPoppin November 13, 2010
Refers to the people of Wrightsville Beach that can no longer handle the Lumina street scene...So they pack it up and move to the south-end.
Hey what ever happened to that party chick?

Oh I hear shes a wash up down near crystal pier.
wash up by Catdaddy500 August 28, 2010