Meaning of dirty work | Babel Free

Definitions

One or more unpleasant tasks, assignments, or employment duties, especially those of a disreputable or illicit nature.

idiomatic, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“[A] sort⟳ of little back kitchen, where dirty work⟳, such as washing up dishes, might be done.”

“"I am no telltale," said James scornfully. […] Jasper urged James to give⟳ information about Rodney, but he steadily refused. "I leave⟳ others to do such dirty work⟳," he said.”

“[M]any a business-man can say⟳ he doesn't do dirty work⟳, because he has others do it for him.”

“In a job like⟳ that you see⟳ the dirty work⟳ of Empire at close⟳ quarters. The wretched prisoners huddling in the stinking cages of the lock-ups, the grey, cowed faces of the long-term convicts, the scarred buttocks of the men who had been flogged with bamboos—all these oppressed me with an intolerable sense⟳ of guilt.”

“US experts believe⟳ the Iraqi intelligence service will set⟳ the plots in motion, then recruit or extort amateurs to do the dirty work⟳.”

“Das ist die⟳ Drecksarbeit, die⟳ Israel macht für uns alle.”

CEFR level