rigged

Everyday

1. Rigged means unfairly arranged so that a certain person wins: a rigged game, a rigged election. tree →
2. Rigged also means fitted with ropes, sails or equipment: a ship rigged with three masts. tree →
3. Rigged up means made quickly from whatever you have: we rigged up a shelter with a sheet. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and politics talk, «rigged» means cheating — a rigged raffle, a rigged vote; when people say an election was rigged, that is a serious claim that needs proof, and news reports often show it as one side's claim. In stories about ships, a vessel is «rigged» with sails. In design and technology lessons, you «rig up» a model or a circuit. Phrases: «rigged game», «rigged election», «rig up», «the game is rigged».

Examples

• The fairground game was rigged so nobody could win the big teddy. tree →
• He shouted that the match was rigged, but the referee was fair. tree →
• We rigged up a tent with a blanket and two chairs. tree →
• The old ship was rigged with white sails. tree →
• Was the raffle rigged? The head teacher's son won again! tree →
• They rigged up a pulley to lift the bucket. tree →
• Amidst shouting and cheers the ships were tarred and rigged, and then they sailed to foreign lands. tree →

Note

Double g: rig → rigged, rigging. «Rigging» is also a noun for a ship's ropes. Saying «it's rigged» is an accusation; in a news or politics lesson, ask for evidence. Not the same as «rugged» (rough, strong).