cobbled together

USAGE SUMMARY

"cobbled together" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been hastily put together, or a makeshift solution. For example, "He cobbled together a plan to pass the test at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The brewing kit has been cobbled together.

Independent

An elf costume was cobbled together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Between them, England cobbled together a result.

The Guardian - Sport

Their furniture was cobbled together from discards.

The New York Times

Yet no description was ever cobbled together.

The New York Times

Still others cobbled together makeshift versions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even Alderson said he admired what the Yankees had done with a cobbled-together team.

The New York Times - Sports

(Employees called the cobbled-together unit "the Frankendesk").

The New York Times - Health

Their cobbled-together lives drain residents of their resolve.

The New York Times

A year later, the swiftly cobbled-together World came out.

The Guardian

He announced that all tickets to the cobbled-together spring season would be $20 per concert.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cobbled together", consider emphasizing the resourcefulness or ingenuity involved in creating something from limited or unconventional materials. It adds a layer of appreciation for the effort made.

Common error

Avoid using "cobbled together" when describing something of high quality or professional finish. The phrase implies a degree of imperfection or makeshift construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cobbled together" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often in the passive voice. It describes the action of creating or assembling something in a makeshift or hurried way. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. The provided examples showcase this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cobbled together" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of creating or assembling something quickly and often with limited resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its neutral to slightly informal register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media where the narrative often highlights resourceful solutions. While it appears across diverse sources, from news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to academic publications, remember to avoid using it when describing something of high quality, as the phrase inherently implies imperfection or makeshift construction. Consider alternatives like "pieced together" or "improvised" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pieced together

This alternative suggests assembling something from disparate parts, similar to "cobbled together" but implies a slightly more delicate or intricate process.

assembled hastily

This phrase emphasizes the speed and lack of preparation in the assembly process, mirroring the urgency sometimes implied by "cobbled together".

threw together

Implies a quick and somewhat careless assembly, similar to the makeshift nature suggested by "cobbled together".

whipped up

This suggests a rapid creation, often of something simple or basic, akin to the resourcefulness implied in "cobbled together".

contrived

This implies the creation of something artificial or unrealistic but functional to achieve a certain aim, a nuance that can be present in "cobbled together".

improvised

This focuses on the spontaneous and unplanned nature of the creation, highlighting the adaptability inherent in "cobbled together".

fashioned from scraps

Highlights the use of available materials, especially remnants or discarded items, to create something functional, similar to the resourceful aspect of "cobbled together".

rigged up

Implies a temporary or makeshift solution, often involving mechanical or technical elements, which aligns with the practicality of "cobbled together".

macgyvered

This alludes to creating something innovative from available resources.

jury-rigged

Similar to rigged up, but often indicates a more complex or elaborate makeshift solution, highlighting ingenuity and resourcefulness.

FAQs

How can I use "cobbled together" in a sentence?

You can use "cobbled together" to describe something that was hastily assembled or created from available resources. For example, "They "cobbled together" a shelter from branches and leaves."

What are some alternatives to "cobbled together"?

Alternatives to "cobbled together" include "pieced together", "assembled hastily", or "threw together", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cobbled up together"?

No, the phrase "cobbled up together" is redundant. "Cobbled together" is already a complete phrase, so adding "up" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "cobbled together" instead of "assembled"?

Use "cobbled together" when you want to emphasize the makeshift or hurried nature of the assembly, often implying that the materials or methods were not ideal. "Assembled" is more neutral and suggests a more orderly or planned process.