"It all comes out in the wash"

[christmastreewithhairyfairy]

What does this phrase mean to you?

I've been saying it for decades but just googled it and if the internet is correct I've been using it wrong! So I wanted to canvas the wise vipers of mn

I think that’s correct - after everything’s been through the wash you can’t tell what was grubby or clean before.

It’s about everything evening up.

If it was about the truth being revealed, it wouldn’t come out in the wash because the wash cleans away the stains.

Airing your dirty linen is the reverse / hanging out the grubby stair all to see rather than washing it.

It means the dirt comes off.
And comes out.
Well that's how I have always seen it.

For some reason, and having Googled I see I am utterly alone on this, I thought it was related to a brides virginity being proved by blood on the sheets on her wedding night, so those doing the washing would see the truth either way. I’ve obviously completely made that up!

I think you’ve been using it correctly and the internet is wrong

To me it means
The truth will be revealed in due course.

I've messaged the person I said it to just to clarify. She's not English and is often nonplussed by these sayings of ours. Now she probably thinks I'm even weirder for having to correct my own saying 😂

Same as you OP

I always thought it meant that things will sort themselves out in the end one way or another.

I've never taken it to mean the truth will come out.

If it was about the truth being revealed, it wouldn’t come out in the wash because the wash cleans away the stains.
The 'stains' are dye, from a time when dyes weren't permanent. The dye / cover-up will fade / fall away revealing the original colour / the truth.

Yes this

Best explanation!

I agree with 'swings & roundabouts'

but 'it'll all come out in the wash'. Means things will even out, similar, but different to swings & roundabouts.

it's not about the truth coming out.

I've only ever used it in a 'truth will out' context.

I use it as in "the truth will come out eventually", but I have heard it used as "I will all be alright in the end" too.

I think it definitely has two uses, and you can usually tell which a person means from the context.

The real test is what does “nonplussed” mean 😂😂😂😂

DH is a bright, well read person but for the life of him he can’t seem to remember that nonplussed does not mean “not fussed”, it means confused to the point you don’t know how to respond.

(Unless you’re a young person who thinks literally means figuratively, because there’s a similar definition creep happening. )

I'm in the 'things that are not clear or are being covered up will be revealed at some point' camp.

Secrets will be revealed, the truth will come out

I’ve always understood it to mean the truth will out, eventually, in some way

I wonder if it’s regional

Yes. This.

I'm team "it'll all balance out over time". Not quite the same as swings and roundabouts: that's about the balancing out of pros and cons of two different choices. "It'll all come out in the wash" is more about outcomes levelling out over time.

Yes, this. The truth will gradually be revealed.

This

Me too.

I've always used it to mean that the truth will eventually come out.