be rubbing (one's) hands (with glee)
(redirected from be rubbing one's 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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
be rubbing your hands
orbe rubbing your hands together
mainly BRITISHCOMMON 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.
be rubbing your hands with glee
If someone is rubbing their hands with glee, they are very pleased about something, often something that is bad for someone else. Already the newspapers were rubbing their hands with glee and calling the place "Dr. Terry's House of Horrors". The party leaders are rubbing their hands with glee at Mr Galloway's troubles.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012