dirty-handed

Chomsky quotes the great American historian Francis Jennings, who noted of early twentieth century leaders: "In history, the man in the ruffled shirt and gold-coated waistcoat levitates above the blood he has ordered to be spilled by dirty-handed underlings."

Johann Hari: The Enduring Truth-Telling of Noam Chomsky 2010

They had nailed him for Wu Xiaoling and he knew the consequences of getting caught dirty-handed inside the Chinese leaders bedroom would be immense.

The Edge of Madness Michael Dobbs 2008

I would sooner shed tears most of the folks Radley Balko reminds us of, the falsely accused, those caught up in drug conspiracy charges and mandatory minumums for prescribed drugs or for having the wrong boyfriend or for selling light bulbs, non-violent old ladies who were jailed for being too rich or too poor, even dirty-handed low-level mobsters who were framed by the FBI and even for lacrosse players than for this guy.

The Volokh Conspiracy » A Remarkable Story: 2007

Englishman, and still more an English _woman_, very reluctantly hands over her keys to a French gen d'arme, who, be your presence never so imposing, ruthlessly capsizes your careful and thoughtful stowage, whilst you angrily or impatiently watch your travelling sanctum pried into by dirty-handed, over-zealous officials.

Fair Italy, the Riviera and Monte Carlo Comprising a Tour Through North and South Italy and Sicily with a Short Account of Malta W. Cope Devereux

A distinct vision presented itself to me of Bill and his cart, from which dangled the sanguinary exuviæ of defunct animals, – while in front the said Bill sat enthroned, dirty-clad, and dirty-handed, with his pipe in his mouth.

John Halifax, Gentleman 1897

I cooked my own meals in my own frying-pan; but occasionally I would indulge myself with a more orthodox dinner at a cook shop, or tea with hot buttered toast at a coffee-shop; and but for the greasy table-cloth and the dirty-handed waiter, such would have been even greater delights.

Paul Kelver, a Novel 1893

Then the dirty-handed society went off the wash, followed by the Professor, trying to calm the anxiety of Rob, who had been told by Tommy that all water was full of invisible pollywogs.

Little Men: Life at Plumfield With Jo's Boys 1871

There were plenty of dirty-handed men in the world to do dirty business; and Will protested to himself that his share in bringing Mr. Brooke through would be quite innocent.

Middlemarch: a study of provincial life (1900) 1871

There were plenty of dirty-handed men in the world to do dirty business; and Will protested to himself that his share in bringing Mr. Brooke through would be quite innocent.

Middlemarch 1871

"Like a dirty-handed son of toil," said Tom humorously.

The Young Adventurer or Tom's Trip Across the Plains Horatio Alger 1865