dodgy

Everyday

1. (informal) Dishonest or likely to be illegal; not to be trusted: «a dodgy deal». tree →
2. (informal) Not working well, unsafe or likely to break: «a dodgy knee», «dodgy brakes». tree →
3. (informal) Of poor quality or a bit bad: «a dodgy haircut», «a dodgy curry». tree →
4. (informal) Risky or uncertain: «The weather looks dodgy.» tree →

In the lessons

Very common in British, Australian, New Zealand and Irish everyday talk; less common in the US. In safety lessons, «a dodgy website» or «a dodgy message» means a scam to avoid. In stories it shows a character is suspicious or something is about to go wrong. Phrases: «a bit dodgy», «dodgy dealings», «dodgy knee», «dodgy wifi».

Examples

• (UK) That website looks dodgy — don't type your password in. tree →
• Grandad has a dodgy knee, so he walks slowly. tree →
• The wifi is a bit dodgy today. tree →
• (Australia) He sold us a dodgy bike with no brakes. tree →
• I had a dodgy kebab and felt sick all night. tree →
• That's a dodgy plan; we'll get caught. tree →
• The weather looks dodgy, bring a coat. tree →

Note

Informal; in formal writing use «suspicious», «unreliable» or «faulty». Comparative «dodgier», superlative «dodgiest». Related verb «dodge» (to move out of the way, or avoid something).