whitewash something
To explain a major, national scandal in soothing official terms so as to assure the public that things are under control and there is no need to panic.
Many people in the United States believe that President Kennedy's assassination was whitewashed by the Warren Commission.
win hands down
To win conclusively and without external help.
The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands down.
win in a walk
win in a breeze
To win very easily; win without having to try hard.
Joe ran for class president and won in a walk.
Our team won the game in a breeze.
win one's spurs
In old times, to be named a knight with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels.
A young squire won his spurs in battle.
To win fame or honor.
The young lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns.
Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young.
He has yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player.
win out
To win after a rather protracted struggle.
The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out.
win over
To convert to one's position or point of view.
The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus way won him over to their side.
wind up
To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it work or run.
Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the room.
He doesn't have to wind up his watch because it is run by a battery.
To make very excited, nervous, upset. Usually used in the past participle.
The excitement of her birthday party got Jane all wound up so she could not sleep.
To bring or come to an end; finish; stop.
John got two hits and wound his afternoon up with a home run.
Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money and he wound up broke.
The boys followed the path to the left and wound up where they started.
To put (your business or personal affairs) in order; arrange; settle.
Fred wound up his business and personal affairs before joining the Navy.
To swing your arm with the ball just before pitching to a batter.
The pitcher wound up quickly and then threw a curve.
windbag
Someone who talks too much; a boring person.
Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag.