dirty work
乍一看会以为是“很脏的工作”，
或者“不正经工作”
真实的情况是怎么样呢？
dirty 有“脏的，肮脏的”意思，但除此之外，dirty 作为形容词还有更多含义。
unfair, dishonest, or unkind
不公平的；欺骗的；卑鄙的
例：
She played a dirty trick on me by telling me Diane was having a party when she wasn't.
她捉弄我说黛安娜要开一个聚会，而实际上并没有这回事。
That's a dirty lie!
那是卑鄙的谎言！
used to describe something that is connected with sex, in a way that many people think is offensive
黄色的，色情的，下流的
例：
a dirty magazine/movie/joke
色情杂志／电影／笑话
You have a really dirty mind!
你的想法太下流了！
而dirty work其实就是取上面1的意思，表示
1. 不愉快的，通常是乏味的任务
2. 任何非法或不诚实的交易
例句：
《亿万》第三季
还有一个用到这个搭配的表达：
to do something unpleasant or difficult for someone else who does not want to do it himself or herself
替…做脏活儿，为…做烂事儿
例：
Tell her yourself - I'm not going to do your dirty work for you.
你自己去告诉她——我才不会替你干这种烂事儿。
《神盾局特工》第二季：
相似的表达：
to behave unfairly towards someone, usually without their knowledge
给…背地里使坏，对…偷偷使坏
He can't forgive her for doing the dirty on him and having an affair with his best friend.
他无法原谅她瞒着自己跟他最要好的朋友有染。
to look at someone in a disapproving way
怒视…，瞪…一眼
He gave me a really dirty look.
他恶狠狠地瞪了我一眼。
to behave dishonestly, especially by cheating in a game
欺骗，耍猫腻，耍花招
Don likes hockey, but he plays dirty.
德兹喜欢曲棍球但常玩猫腻。
