kludgy solution

9.5

A quick, ugly fix that is not reliable

noun

Jargon

: solución improvisada

Because there was no time to rewrite the code, he came up with a kludgy solution that barely worked.

Examples

The temporary fix turned out to be a kludgy solution that caused more issues down the line.
The team implemented a kludgy solution to meet the deadline.
In software engineering, a kludgy solution is often more trouble than it's worth.
We ended up using a kludgy solution for the software bug.
The temporary fix turned out to be a kludgy solution that caused more issues down the line.
In software engineering, a kludgy solution is often more trouble than it's worth.
Because there was no time to rewrite the code, he came up with a kludgy solution that barely worked.

Synonyms

band-aid

vskludgy solution

Informal

1 3.9

A quick, temporary fix that does not solve the real problem

is an awkward makeshift repair rather than a superficial patch ignoring causes

quick-and-dirty fix

vskludgy solution

Informal

6.6

A quick temporary solution made without care for small details

is an awkward makeshift fix rather than only a speedy sloppy one

temporary expedient

vskludgy solution

7.2

A quick solution used for a short time until a proper fix is found

is awkward and inelegant rather than merely improvised for short use

Antonyms

permanent

650 3.2

Continuing for a long time and unlikely to change

How Makeshift

kludgy solution

Jargon

9.5

quick fix

27 4.2

patch

Specialized

75 3.8

workaround

17 3.9

Surface Forms

kludgy solution singular

kludgy solutions plural

Morphology

kludgy + solution

The noun 'solution' is transparent, but the key adjective 'kludgy' is jargon derived from 'kludge' and is not a predictable combination of familiar morphemes; its meaning 'awkward, makeshift, inelegant' is lexicalized and culture-/register-specific. Knowing the constituent words (especially if a learner only knows 'kludgy' as an unknown form) would not allow a B1 learner to reliably infer the idiomatic evaluative sense, so the phrase is not compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Kludgy solution may come from the word kludge, which described a messy machine held together with tape and odd parts that barely worked. That clear image is why kludgy solution now means 'a quick, awkward, or temporary fix'.