noun
dirty trick; underhanded method
Refers to a dishonest, unfair, or sneaky way of doing something. Often used in contexts of competition, business, or personal dealings.
彼は汚いやり方で契約を取った。
He got the contract by a dirty trick.
そんな汚いやり方は許せない。
I can't forgive such an underhanded method.
ずるい is an adjective meaning 'sly' or 'cunning', describing a person's character, while 汚いやり方 is a noun phrase focusing on the method itself.
卑怯 is a more formal term for 'cowardly' or 'unfair', often used in serious accusations, whereas 汚いやり方 is a common, everyday expression.
Compound of 汚い (dirty, unclean) and やり方 (way of doing, method). The figurative use of 汚い for 'underhanded' is well-established in Japanese.