OXFORD 9000
📚 verb • entry_id 55495

get one's hands dirty

Meanings (ES + gloss)
ensuciarse las manos • no caérsele los anillos
To get involved with the unpleasant parts of a task, such as manual labor or unethical activities.
He doesn't get his hands dirty — that's what the henchmen and the plausible deniability are for.
If you expect to seal up every possible source of draftiness, you'll have to get your hands dirty — there will be some kneeling and crawling involved.
Phrases
No hay frases