dirty (your) hands

to become involved in bad activities that might spoil other people's opinions of you.

The royal family don't usually dirty their hands with politics. (usually negative)

• with tail between legs
• with tail between your legs
• with teacher's hat on
• with [teacher's/lawyer's etc.] hat on
• with the best of them
• with the best will in the world
• with tongue in cheek
• with your back against the wall
• with your bare hands
• with your eyes closed
• with your eyes open
• with your eyes wide open
• with your guns blazing
• with your ... hat on
• with your head in the clouds
• with your lawyer's hat on
• with your nose in the air
• with your own fair hands
• with your tail between legs
• with your tail between your legs
• with your teacher's hat on
• with your [teacher's/lawyer's etc.] hat on
• woe betide
• woe betide someone
• wolf in sheep's clothing