dodgy means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dodgy means" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe methods or ways of doing something that are questionable, unreliable, or potentially dishonest. Example: "The company was using dodgy means to cut costs, which raised concerns among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A belief so strong, Biggar argued, he "let [its] end justify his dodgy means".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The vagaries of the sporting life – and dodgy knees – meant that he never quite made it, ending his playing days in Western Australia.

The Guardian

You read about a single mother forced to give up being a lawyer in London because dodgy trains mean she can never get home to put her son to bed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Studies of the blowout preventer's control pods suggest that a flattish battery and a dodgy valve meant that neither was in a fit state to close off the well automatically when they should have, which BP takes as evidence of poor maintenance by Transocean.

The Economist

Studies of the blowout preventer's two control pods suggest that a flattish battery and a dodgy valve meant that neither was in a fit state to close off the well automatically when they should have, which BP takes as evidence of poor maintenance by Transocean.Halliburton quickly pointed to "substantial omissions and inaccuracies" in the report.

The Economist

A welcome new freedom-of-information act means dodgy deals no longer stay hidden.

The Economist

In fact, it is the old ones that were dodgy.The revision means Nigeria leapfrogs South Africa to be Africa's largest economy.

The Economist

By my (admittedly dodgy) maths, this means that England absolutely have to beat South Africa or they're relying on other results.

The Guardian - Sport

He wants to tell her that he's got a dodgy heart which means he's had to give up work on buildings; she wants to get him to tell her whether he can lift his arm.

The Guardian - Film

A combination of wishful thinking and dodgy psephology has meant that the mainstream parties and their media outlets have done what they can to marginalise what has now become Die Linke or Left party.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new info about dodgy sperm might mean people start to view dads as culpable genetically and therefore parentally.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dodgy means", ensure the context clearly indicates the questionable or unethical nature of the methods being described. Avoid using it in situations where a neutral or positive tone is required.

Common error

While "dodgy means" can be effective, overuse in formal documents can make your writing seem less professional. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "questionable tactics" or "dubious methods" in business or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dodgy means" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes the methods or ways of achieving something that are questionable or potentially dishonest. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dodgy means" is a phrase used to describe questionable or potentially dishonest methods. While grammatically correct and understandable, its informal tone makes it more suitable for news and media contexts than for formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is acceptable in written English. For more formal situations, alternatives like "questionable methods" or "dubious tactics" may be more appropriate. The phrase implies a critical or disapproving stance toward the described actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable methods

Emphasizes the uncertainty and doubtfulness surrounding the methods.

dubious tactics

Highlights the suspect and doubtful nature of the tactics employed.

shady practices

Focuses on the secretive and potentially illegal aspect of the practices.

suspect strategies

Implies a lack of trust in the strategies, suggesting they may be flawed or unethical.

unscrupulous ways

Directly accuses the methods of being unethical and without principles.

underhanded schemes

Suggests the use of secretive and unfair schemes to achieve a goal.

deceptive techniques

Highlights the intent to mislead or deceive through the used techniques.

corrupt practices

Implicates the methods in corruption and dishonesty.

irregular procedures

Indicates that the procedures deviate from established norms and may be unauthorized.

unethical approaches

Focuses on the lack of moral principles guiding the approaches.

FAQs

How can I use "dodgy means" in a sentence?

You can use "dodgy means" to describe actions or methods that are questionable or potentially dishonest. For example: "The company was using "dodgy means" to cut costs."

What phrases are similar to "dodgy means"?

Alternatives to "dodgy means" include "questionable methods", "dubious tactics", or "shady practices".

Is "dodgy means" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "dodgy means" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "unethical approaches" or "irregular procedures".

What does "dodgy means" imply about the methods?

"Dodgy means" implies that the methods used are not entirely honest or reliable and may involve some level of deception or unethical behavior.