dirty hands
Soiled hands
Use 'dirty hands' to literally describe skin that needs washing after work or play.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe hands covered in physical dirt or grime.
- Commonly used when gardening, cooking, or fixing things.
- Usually paired with the verbs 'have' or 'get'.
Significado
This phrase describes hands that are physically covered in dirt, mud, or grime. It usually means you have been working hard with your hands or playing outside.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6After gardening
I have dirty hands from planting the roses.
I have dirty hands from planting the roses.
Talking to a child
Wash your dirty hands before you touch the walls!
Wash your dirty hands before you touch the walls!
In a formal workshop
Please wear gloves so you do not get dirty hands.
Please wear gloves so you do not get dirty hands.
Contexto cultural
In Western culture, 'dirty hands' are often seen as a badge of honor for manual laborers or gardeners. However, there is a strong social rule about washing them before meals or touching shared items. The phrase is also the basis for many metaphors about hard work and honesty.
The 'Wash' Connection
If you say you have `dirty hands`, people will almost always point you to the nearest sink!
Don't touch!
In English-speaking homes, having `dirty hands` is a warning to stay away from white furniture and light-colored clothes.
Em 15 segundos
- Used to describe hands covered in physical dirt or grime.
- Commonly used when gardening, cooking, or fixing things.
- Usually paired with the verbs 'have' or 'get'.
What It Means
Dirty hands is a very basic, literal expression. It means your skin is not clean. You might have soil from a garden on them. You might have grease from a car engine. It is the opposite of clean hands. It is a sign that you have been active.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a simple description. It usually follows the verb to have or to get. For example, "I have dirty hands." Or, "Don't get dirty hands on the white sofa!" It is a common observation in daily life. You can use it for yourself or others. Just be careful not to sound like you are judging them!
When To Use It
Use it when you are gardening or cooking. Use it when you are fixing a bike. It is perfect for talking to kids after they play outside. If you are at a restaurant, you might say it before going to the restroom. "Wait, I have dirty hands from the car ride." It is helpful and practical.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if someone has a smudge of ink. That is just a small spot. Do not use it to mean someone is a criminal. In English, dirty hands is literal at level A1. There is a separate idiom "to get your hands dirty," which means to do hard work. Stick to the physical meaning for now. Avoid saying it to a boss during a handshake!
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, dirty hands are respected if you are working. It shows you are a "do-it-yourself" person. However, hygiene is very important in social settings. You always wash your hands before eating. Children are often told "go wash those dirty hands" before dinner. It is a classic part of childhood.
Common Variations
You might hear people say filthy hands if they are very messy. You might hear grubby hands for children. Muddy hands is specific to playing in the rain. Greasy hands is for mechanics or people eating pizza. All of these are cousins of the main phrase.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral, literal phrase. It is safe to use in almost any context to describe physical cleanliness. Just remember that 'dirty' is the adjective and 'hands' is the noun.
The 'Wash' Connection
If you say you have `dirty hands`, people will almost always point you to the nearest sink!
Don't touch!
In English-speaking homes, having `dirty hands` is a warning to stay away from white furniture and light-colored clothes.
The Honest Worker
There is an old saying that 'dirty hands are a sign of clean money,' meaning the person works hard for a living.
Exemplos
6I have dirty hands from planting the roses.
I have dirty hands from planting the roses.
A very common use for outdoor hobbies.
Wash your dirty hands before you touch the walls!
Wash your dirty hands before you touch the walls!
Parents use this to protect the house from stains.
Please wear gloves so you do not get dirty hands.
Please wear gloves so you do not get dirty hands.
Used as a practical instruction in a professional setting.
Can't text much, got dirty hands from fixing my bike!
Can't text much, got dirty hands from fixing my bike!
Explaining why a reply might be slow.
My dirty hands are the reason the dog is now brown and black.
My dirty hands are the reason the dog is now brown and black.
Joking about making a mess of a pet.
He looked at his dirty hands and felt proud of the house he built.
He looked at his dirty hands and felt proud of the house he built.
Using the physical state to show hard work and achievement.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
I was working in the garden, so now I have ___ hands.
Gardening involves soil, which makes your hands dirty.
Complete the instruction.
Don't eat your sandwich with ___ hands!
It is a common rule to wash dirty hands before eating.
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Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Dirty Hands'
Used with close family while playing.
Look at your grubby, dirty hands!
Standard description of physical state.
I have dirty hands from the yard.
Instructional or clinical.
Avoid contact with dirty hands.
When to say 'Dirty Hands'
Gardening
Soil on fingers
Car Repair
Oil and grease
Art Class
Paint on palms
Cooking
Flour and dough
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasUsually no. At a basic level, it just means you need soap. The idiom for illegal things is dirty work or having blood on your hands.
Yes, you can say dirty feet if you walked outside without shoes. It follows the same pattern.
It can be. It is better to say it as a helpful observation, like "Oh, you have some dirt on your hands," rather than a loud critique.
Filthy is much stronger. If your hands are filthy, they are extremely covered in mud or trash.
Yes, it is one of the first phrases children learn. It is used daily in homes and workplaces.
Only if you are explaining why you cannot shake hands. For example, "Sorry, I just changed a tire and have dirty hands."
The opposite is clean hands. We use this when we are ready to eat or touch something delicate.
No, it can be anything messy. It could be ink, food, grease, or dust.
You can say, "I don't want to get dirty hands." This means you want to avoid the mess.
In this context, it is a literal collocation. However, "to get your hands dirty" is an idiom meaning to get involved in hard work.
Frases relacionadas
To get your hands dirty
To do hard manual work or get involved in a difficult task.
Clean hands
Hands that are washed; also a metaphor for being innocent.
Grubby mitts
A playful, slightly informal way to describe a child's dirty hands.
Covered in grime
When hands or surfaces are very dirty with thick dust or oil.
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