What it means
Means dodgy, a bit suspect, or generally not in great nick. You’ll hear it for cheap gear, food you wouldn’t trust, or anything that looks unsafe or badly made. It also works for your body: if you feel ropey, you’re run-down, hungover, or coming down with something. Handy little word when everything’s gone a bit wonky.
Usage examples
"That second-hand telly looked ropey, and I’m feeling ropey this morning too. Two pints and a dodgy kebab, now I’m living at the loo."
"The car ran fine but the brakes felt a bit ropey on the hills."
Where it comes from
From "rope", and the image of something only as sound as a frayed, dodgy bit of old rope you would not quite trust with your weight. Ropey covers anything iffy, shaky, or below par, from a dodgy curry to feeling a bit ropey the morning after.
Other ways to say it
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