Dictionary

wet work en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

Calque of Russian мо́крое де́ло (mókroje délo).

Meanings

1. (euphemistic, uncountable) A covert assassination performed by government operatives.
   • Joe: Victoria was the best wet work operator the Agency ever had. Woman 1: What does that mean? Victoria: I killed people, dearie. 2010, RED:
2. (broadly, uncountable) Work within a gang or organization that involves killing or attacking people, for assassination or intimidation.
   • He had also done a lot of Louis Deems' wet work, especially when it came to intimidating juries. 2009, Dana Stabenow, Whisper to the Blood, →ISBN, page 132:

Forms

Relateds

wet job · terminate with extreme prejudice

Translations (1)

ru мо́крое де́ло (covert assassination)

wet work en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

wet + work

Meanings

1. Cleaning tasks that involve scrubbing with cleansers.
   • Most of the time I clean with A.J. or another coworker, who vacuums while I do the wet work—bathrooms and kitchens. 2011, Autumn Stephens, Roar Softly and Carry a Great Lipstick, →ISBN:

Forms

Relateds

wet works · wetworks