dirty work
die Drecksarbeit, die Drecksarbeiten
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dirty work
Colloquially and disparagingly: an unpleasant or tedious task that no one likes doing.
Während die anderen die Veranstaltung planen durften, blieb die ganze Drecksarbeit mit den endlosen Teilnehmerlisten an mir hängen.
While the others were allowed to plan the event, I was left with all the dirty work of dealing with the endless participant lists.
dirty work
Colloquially: physical work that makes you very dirty or involves removing dirt.
Nach der Überschwemmung mussten wir die Drecksarbeit übernehmen und den Schlamm aus dem Keller schaufeln.
After the flood, we had to do the dirty work and shovel the mud out of the basement.
dirty work
Disparagingly: a morally reprehensible or unscrupulous activity, often carried out on someone else's behalf.
Der Bandenchef ließ seine Leute die Drecksarbeit erledigen und die Zeugen einschüchtern.
The gang leader had his people do the dirty work and intimidate the witnesses.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Drecksarbeiten |
| genitive | der Drecksarbeit |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Drecksarbeit | die Drecksarbeiten |
| accusative | die Drecksarbeit | die Drecksarbeiten |
| dative | der Drecksarbeit | den Drecksarbeiten |
| genitive | der Drecksarbeit | der Drecksarbeiten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Drecksarbeit' consists of 'Dreck' (dirt) and 'Arbeit' (work); the 's' connects the two parts. 'Drecks-' often refers to something unpleasant, inferior, or morally problematic, even when no actual dirt is involved.
Bei dem Projekt musste sie die Drecksarbeit machen, während ihr Kollege die Anerkennung bekam.
On the project, she had to do all the dirty work while her colleague got the recognition.
'Drecksarbeit' is colloquial and disparaging. The word usually shows that the speaker strongly dislikes the work or considers it beneath them.
Er beschwerte sich laut darüber, dass man ihm ständig die Drecksarbeit überließ.
He loudly complained that they were always leaving the dirty work to him.
For tedious tasks, common expressions include 'Drecksarbeit machen' (to do the dirty work), 'Drecksarbeit erledigen' (to take care of the dirty work), 'Drecksarbeit übernehmen' (to take on the dirty work), or 'Drecksarbeit bleibt an jemandem hängen' (someone gets stuck with the dirty work).
Am Ende blieb die ganze Drecksarbeit an den Praktikanten hängen.
In the end, the interns were left with all the dirty work.
The meaning of a morally reprehensible activity often becomes clear from a context involving people giving orders, violence, intimidation, or illegal acts. In such sentences, 'Drecksarbeit' does not refer to an ordinary tedious task.
Der Politiker behauptete, von der Drecksarbeit seiner Helfer nichts gewusst zu haben.
The politician claimed not to have known about the dirty work carried out by his aides.
