jerry-build
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of jerry-build
1880–85; back formation from jerry-builder. See jerry 2, build
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Belgian license plate is too large for the plate holder of the small Italian Fiat 600, and Belgian importers must jerry-build other arrangements.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fortunately, the practical difficulties in acquiring precisely the right materials, not to mention the engineering know-how to jerry-build a nuclear device successfully, make this type of threat highly unlikely.
From Time Magazine Archive
That drive left him with supporters in every state, whom he can begin early to shape into the kind of national organization he had to jerry-build from scratch in 1984.
From Time Magazine Archive
It cannot rightly be represented as trying either to sell new lamps for old, or to jerry-build a new metaphysical system on the ruins of all previous achievements.
From Pragmatism by Murray, D. L.
Aĉa = nasty; domaĉo = a hovel; veteraĉo = vile weather; ĉapelaĉo = a shabby hat; fuŝkonstrui, or, konstruaĉi = to jerry-build.
From The International Auxiliary Language Esperanto Grammar and Commentary by Cox, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
