be rubbing your hands

be rubbing (one's) hands (with glee)

To be very enthusiastic or happy about something, typically another's misfortune. The CEO was practically rubbing his hands with glee when he heard that our rival company had gone bankrupt.
See also: hand, rubbing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be rubbing your hands

or

be rubbing your hands together

mainly BRITISH
COMMON If someone is rubbing their hands or rubbing their hands together, they are very pleased or excited about something. The four remaining firms will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of new clients and fat fees. The folks at the record company must have been rubbing their hands together when they heard this band. Note: This expression is often used to imply that someone is being greedy or is unpleasantly pleased about someone else's failure.
See also: hand, rubbing
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be rubbing (one's) hands (with glee)
  • be rubbing your hands with glee
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • the blame for (something)
  • blame for
  • blame for (something)
  • blamed
  • a lightning rod for something
  • crush it
  • conspire with (someone) against (something or someone)