past participle of get one's hands dirty

present participle of get one's hands dirty

To have the initiative for or the means of success, to be in a position to control the outcome.

A large number of people co-operating can perform tasks easily.

(idiomatic) A statement that one will not allow something (most often a firearm or other weapon) to be taken away from one's possession until after one's death. A variant, from my cold dead fingers, is most often used in the US by gun rights advocates.

(idiomatic) To deal with a problem alone instead of waiting on others (often persons who are responsible and have failed to deal with the issue).

Alternative form of take the law into one's own hands

(intransitive, idiomatic) To punish someone according to one's own idea of justice, without consideration for the role of law enforcement authorities.

Alternative form of idle hands are the devil's workshop

(idiomatic) To summon up one's courage in readiness for a difficult or dangerous action.