a bit hacky
- idiom
- Informal
:
un poco chapucero
- The temporary code fix was a bit hacky but got the job done.
Examples
-
The code is a bit hacky, but it works.
-
Her design for the poster looked a bit hacky compared to the others.
-
We made a bit hacky changes to the website just to meet the deadline.
-
This solution seems a bit hacky.
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The temporary code fix was a bit hacky, but it helped us meet the deadline.
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Her solution felt a bit hacky, lacking the polish of more professional designs.
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Although his approach was a bit hacky, it effectively resolved the issue quickly.
Synonyms
3
8.5
Made quickly in a rough way that may not last
Antonyms
How Professional
26
2.1
∞
3.4
114
3.6
- Informal
13
6.5
30
4.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward composition of the degree modifier 'a bit' (a small amount/slightly) and the adjective 'hacky' (improvised/low-quality), so the meaning 'somewhat unprofessional or makeshift' is directly derivable from the parts. This follows a common degree-modifier + adjective pattern that B1 learners who know the constituents will readily interpret.
Etymology
A bit hacky may come from the idea of hacking something together with rough cuts, or from a coder making a quick 'hack' to make something work. So it gives the image of a fast, messy fix that works but is not neat, which is why a bit hacky means 'somewhat unprofessional' or 'makeshift'.