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Jerry-building for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'dʒɛri_'bɪldɪŋ

What does Jerry-building really mean?

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Teacher: Hey there! So today we're going to talk about a word called "Jerry-building." Have you ever heard of it before?

Student: No, I haven't. What does it mean?

Teacher: Great question! "Jerry-building" is a term we use to describe a way of construction or building that is done quickly and cheaply, without much care or attention to quality. It refers to buildings that are poorly built, not very sturdy, and can easily fall apart. We often use this word to talk about buildings that are put together in a rush, using low-quality materials, and without following proper construction methods.

Think of it like this, imagine if you were building a sandcastle. If you quickly piled up sand without making sure it's compact and stable, and you didn't reinforce the walls, it would be considered jerry-built. It might collapse with the smallest touch, right?

Student: Oh, I get it now! But does it have any other meanings?

Teacher: Indeed! "Jerry-building" can also be used metaphorically to describe things other than buildings. For example, we can say that someone has done a jerry-built job if they've done something hastily, without taking the time to do it properly. It can refer to any task or creation that is poorly done or of low quality because not enough attention or care was given to it.

To make it clearer, imagine if you were asked to draw a beautiful picture of a flower, but instead of taking your time to sketch each detail and use vibrant colors, you quickly scribbled a few lines and used dull colors. Your drawing would be considered jerry-built because you didn't put enough effort into it.

Student: Wow, I understand it much better now! Thank you for explaining it in a way that makes sense to me.

Teacher: You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help you grasp the meaning of "jerry-building." Remember, it's all about constructing things in a hasty and low-quality way. So whether we're talking about buildings or other tasks, we want to do our best to avoid doing things in a jerry-built manner. It's always important to take our time, pay attention to the details, and do our best work!

Revised and Fact checked by Elizabeth Martin on 2023-10-29 12:52:18

Jerry-building In a sentece

Learn how to use Jerry-building inside a sentece

  • When a person builds a house using cheap and unstable materials, it is called jerry-building. For example, if someone uses flimsy boards and weak nails to construct a house, it might not be safe or durable.
  • If someone quickly puts together a temporary shelter using low-quality materials like plastic sheets and duct tape, that can be considered jerry-building.
  • Imagine someone building a treehouse in the backyard using broken and mismatched planks. That would be an example of jerry-building since it lacks proper construction and stability.
  • Suppose someone tries to construct a bicycle using weak and damaged parts that are not meant for building bikes. That would be an instance of jerry-building because the bike may not function properly or safely.
  • If a builder hastily constructs a makeshift bridge using random objects like wooden crates and ropes, it would be an example of jerry-building as it lacks proper engineering and stability.

Jerry-building Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.