Dodgy

This meaning is about situations or things that seem unsafe or likely to go wrong. Imagine checking the weather before a hike and seeing dodgy forecasts that keep changing between sunshine and thunderstorms. This is something being dodgy — uncertain and risky. You might describe a plan as dodgy if it has too many things that could fail, or statistics could seem dodgy if the numbers don’t quite add up. Or think about walking through a dodgy neighborhood late at night, feeling unsafe with every step. The word suggests risk and uncertainty.

This meaning is about things (often body parts or machines) that don’t work properly. Imagine a footballer who can’t play the final match because of his dodgy knee, an old injury that flares up whenever he runs too hard. This is something being dodgy — weak and unreliable. You might complain about a dodgy car engine that stalls at traffic lights, or someone could blame their dodgy back for not being able to help with moving furniture. Or picture an old laptop with a dodgy keyboard where half the keys stick. The word suggests something damaged and unpredictable.