washout

A "washout" is not always about water literally washing something away. Very often, it describes an event or plan that fails completely, especially because of bad weather. Think of a baseball game that gets rained out: that is a washout. The word can also describe a person who does not succeed or who fails to meet expectations. A promising athlete might be called a washout if they never reach their potential. In everyday use, the word carries a feeling of disappointment, as if something was spoiled before it had a fair chance to work out.

The word "washout" has a double life. Originally, it referred to a physical situation in which water destroys or carries something away, such as part of a road, a railway line, or a riverbank. A flood can cause a washout that leaves the area unsafe or unusable. For example: "The heavy rains caused a washout on Highway 10, closing it for weeks."

However, "washout" is also widely used in a broader, figurative way. It can describe an event, trip, or plan that is completely ruined, often by rain or other bad conditions. A concert cancelled because of heavy rain is a classic example: "The outdoor festival was a complete washout."

The term can also refer to a person who turns out to be unsuccessful or disappointing. This use suggests that the person's promise came to nothing. A military recruit who fails training might be called a washout, and so might a promising artist whose career never really begins.

The key idea behind "washout" is that something has been ruined, wiped out, or has ended in clear failure. Whether it is damage caused by water, a day spoiled by rain, or a person who never lives up to early hopes, the word points to a disappointing result.