mettre les mains dans le cambouis

French

Alternative forms

• mettre les mains à la pâte

Etymology

Literally, “to put one's hand into the dirty oil”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛ.tʁə le mɛ̃ dɑ̃ l(ə) kɑ̃.bwi/

• Audio:

  (file)

Verb

mettre les mains dans le cambouis

1. (figuratively, informal) to get one's hands dirty, to tackle an issue head on, to get involved with a task and proactively try to solve it

See also

• se salir les mains
• retrousser ses manches
• mettre la main à la pâte
• aller au charbon
• faire le sale boulot