Meaning
A sudden flash flood that comes rushing down a gully after heavy rain — a fast, powerful torrent that can sweep away anything in its path. In dry gullies, a downpour upstream can send a 'gully wash' racing down with little warning, catching the unwary, and it is a real and deadly danger of the rainy season. The word names both the flood itself and, sometimes, an old-time cane-juice drink, but in its main sense it is the country's warning of the roaring water that can turn a dry ditch into a killer in minutes.
Examples
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Di gully wash carry weh di car.
The flash flood swept away the car.
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Wen heavy rain fall, di gully wash come dung fast.
When heavy rain falls, the flash flood comes down fast.
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Nuh cross di gully wen di gully wash a run.
Don't cross the gully when the flash flood is running.
Origin
From 'gully' (a drainage channel/ravine) plus 'wash' — the rush of water that 'washes' down a gully in a flood.
How it’s used
A dangerous flash flood in a gully after heavy rain. See [[gully]]. Contrast a light 'drizzle'.