Search results
- Dictionarydirt·y work/ˈdərdē ˌwərk/
noun
- 1. activities or tasks that are unpleasant or dishonest and given to someone else to undertake: "you're only indispensable to your boss because you do all her dirty work"
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
DIRTY WORK definition: an unpleasant or dishonest job, esp. something that other people do not want to do: . Learn more.
dirty work. An unpleasant, distasteful, or thankless task or job. For example, Jane complained that she had to do all the dirty work while her colleagues took long vacations . [First half of 1900s] See also: dirty, work. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
An unpleasant, distasteful, or thankless task or job. For example, Jane complained that she had to do all the dirty work while her colleagues took long vacations . [First half of 1900s]
unpleasant or illicit activity. See full dictionary entry for dirty. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Word Frequency. dirty work in American English. noun. 1. disagreeable, often tedious tasks. 2. any illegal or dishonest dealing. Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC.
The phrase “dirty work” is a common idiom used to describe tasks or actions that are unpleasant, unethical, or morally questionable. The origins of this phrase can be traced back to early English literature where it was commonly used in reference to physical labor that involved getting one’s hands dirty.
Dirty-work definition: (idiomatic) One or more unpleasant tasks , assignments , or employment duties , especially those of a disreputable or illicit nature.
to do something unpleasant or difficult for someone else who does not want to do it himself or herself: Tell her yourself - I'm not going to do your dirty work for you. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Helping and co-operating. abet. accommodative. any port in a storm idiom.
