dirty business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dirty business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to unethical or dishonest activities, often in a professional or commercial context. Example: "The company's involvement in the scandal revealed a lot of dirty business that had been going on behind the scenes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No dirty business.

The New York Times - Sports

Malaysian politics is an unusually dirty business.

The Economist

Arms smuggling is a dirty business.

The New York Times

"Boxing is a dirty business," admitted Mayweather.

Independent

Musa concealed his dirty business practices.

The New Yorker

Garbage is, obviously, a dirty business.

The New York Times

It's such a dirty business.

The Guardian

Oil drilling is dirty business.

The New York Times

In Nigeria, oil is a dirty business.

The Guardian

But metallurgy is a dirty business.

The Guardian

Selling the future is a dirty business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and the level of formality required. While "dirty business" is widely understood, more formal contexts may benefit from using alternatives like "unethical practices" or "corrupt activities".

Common error

While "dirty business" is a common idiom, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or cliché. Vary your language by using synonyms or more descriptive terms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dirty business" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dirty business" is a common noun phrase used to describe unethical or dishonest activities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it leans towards an informal register, making it less suitable for formal or scientific writing. Consider using synonyms like "shady dealings" or "unethical practices" in more formal settings. Be mindful of overuse to avoid sounding repetitive. The phrase effectively conveys disapproval and condemnation of unsavory conduct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shady dealings

Focuses on the secretive and suspicious nature of the activities.

unethical practices

Highlights the violation of moral principles and professional standards.

corrupt activities

Emphasizes the element of bribery, dishonesty, or illegality involved.

underhanded tactics

Refers to methods that are deceitful and unfair.

illicit operations

Highlights the illegal and unauthorized nature of the activities.

nefarious schemes

Emphasizes the wickedness and immorality of the plan.

deceitful conduct

Focuses on the misleading and dishonest behavior.

unscrupulous behavior

Highlights the lack of moral principles and ethical considerations.

questionable dealings

Suggests uncertainty and doubt about the honesty and legality of the activities.

dishonest practices

Emphasizes the lack of honesty and integrity in the methods used.

FAQs

What does "dirty business" mean?

The phrase "dirty business" refers to unethical, dishonest, or unpleasant activities, often in a professional or commercial context. It implies a lack of integrity and moral principles.

What can I say instead of "dirty business"?

You can use alternatives like "shady dealings", "unethical practices", or "corrupt activities depending on the context.

Is "dirty business" a formal or informal expression?

"Dirty business" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal contexts, it may be more appropriate to use alternatives like "unethical practices" or "corrupt activities".

How can I use "dirty business" in a sentence?

You can use "dirty business" in a sentence like this: "The company's involvement in the scandal revealed a lot of "dirty business" that had been going on behind the scenes."