Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
wet work. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
wet work, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
wet work in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
wet work you have here. The definition of the word
wet work will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
wet work, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Calque of Russian мо́крое де́ло (mókroje délo).
Pronunciation
Noun
wet work (uncountable)
- (euphemistic) Covert assassination performed by government operatives.[1]
- 2010, RED
- Joe: Victoria was the best wet work operator the Agency ever had.
Woman 1: What does that mean?
Victoria: I killed people, dearie.
- (by extension) Work within a gang or organization that involves killing or attacking people, for assassination or intimidation.
2009, Dana Stabenow, Whisper to the Blood, →ISBN, page 132:He had also done a lot of Louis Deems' wet work, especially when it came to intimidating juries.
- Cleaning tasks that involve scrubbing with cleansers.
2011, Autumn Stephens, Roar Softly and Carry a Great Lipstick, →ISBN:Most of the time I clean with A.J. or another coworker, who vacuums while I do the wet work—bathrooms and kitchens.
Translations
See also
References