# dirty work

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dirty-work
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I hate doing the dirty work for my boss.
- The manager always makes his assistant handle the dirty work of firing people so he does not have to do it himself.
- While the politician publicly advocated for reform, he secretly hired a consultant to perform the dirty work of discrediting his opponents.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.