‘手脚’ literally means 'hands and feet', but as a noun it rarely refers to the body parts themselves. Instead, it’s an idiomatic expression meaning physical activity, effort, or action—especially visible, practical, or sometimes secretive action. The compound combines 手 (hand), symbolizing manipulation or doing, and 脚 (foot), suggesting movement or execution; together they imply the full bodily involvement in carrying something out.

In neutral or positive contexts, 手脚 describes earnest effort: ‘He put in a lot of hands and feet to finish the project.’ But more commonly—and especially when modified by words like ‘不干净’ (unclean) or ‘暗中’ (in secret)—it carries a negative connotation: underhanded dealings, cheating, or covert manipulation. It often appears in spoken and written Mandarin, especially in discussions about fairness, integrity, or diligence.