bodge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Medium (Common in UK, particularly in informal contexts)Informal, colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “bodge” mean?
To make or repair something clumsily or badly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make or repair something clumsily or badly; to carry out a task in a makeshift, unskilled manner.
Can refer to any temporary, inelegant, but often functional solution to a problem. As a noun: a clumsy or poorly executed piece of work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily British English. In American English, 'botch' is the dominant equivalent, though 'bodge' is sometimes known, especially in technical/DIY circles.
Connotations
In the UK, it is a familiar, slightly humorous term. In the US, it may sound British or unfamiliar.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; low frequency in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “bodge” in a Sentence
bodge somethingbodge something togetherbodge something upmake a bodge of somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bodge” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't bodge the shelves, measure them properly.
- He bodged the plumbing and now we have a leak.
American English
- (Less common) He had to bodge a solution with duct tape and wire.
- They completely bodged the software update.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used) It was put together bodge.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- It was a very bodge job, but it held for a week.
- His bodge repair finally gave way.
American English
- (Rare) The setup looked a bit bodge, but it worked.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used formally. Might appear in informal critiques of a project: 'The software rollout was a complete bodge.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common in UK: talking about DIY, home repairs, or temporary fixes: 'I'll just bodge it for now.'
Technical
Used in computing/engineering informally for a temporary, inelegant workaround or 'kludge'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bodge”
- Confusing 'bodge' (UK, often verb/noun) with 'botch' (more common verb, US/UK). Using it in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms. 'Botch' is more common as a verb globally (e.g., 'botch a job'). 'Bodge' is particularly British and can also be a common noun ('a bit of a bodge').
Rarely positive, but it can imply a sort of rough, pragmatic ingenuity in a crisis—'a clever bodge'. The primary meaning remains negative.
It is primarily used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. It is less common in North America.
A colloquial phrase for a piece of work that has been done clumsily or unprofessionally, often as a temporary fix.
To make or repair something clumsily or badly.
Bodge is usually informal, colloquial. in register.
Bodge: in British English it is pronounced /bɒdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A botch and a bodge”
- “Bodge it and scarper (humorous, implying a quick, poor repair before leaving)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BADge (like a badge) that's been clumsily sewn onto a shirt. A BADge job = a BODGE job.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPAIR IS A PATCHWORK (unskilled, visible seams).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence best illustrates the meaning of 'bodge'?