I am currently writing an essay on the movie Paths of Glory and how one General (General Broulard) is more dislikable and villainous than the other. One facet of my argument addresses how he lets others do the dirty work for him – though he does not directly spill blood, he is responsible for a lot of strife, and he keeps his hands clean through manipulation and his status as a General. I know there is a better phrase to use than "lets others do his dirty work" but cannot think of it.
Learn English – a different expression/phrase/word for someone who lets others do their “dirty work” for them
expressionsphrase-requests
Best Answer
A leader of men who insists on making his underlings do all the dirty work (and then takes the credit for how well the work is done) is not a leader, but a tyrant.
A tyrant looks down on his people and considers them less worthy of respect than he is. A tyrant demands respect, but he doesn't command respect by being an example to those who follow him. Some synonyms for a tyrant include the following:
martinet slave-driver
control freak
tormenter
totalitarian
monocrat