Definition

Noun: 1. The practice of constructing buildings quickly and cheaply using poor-quality materials and methods, with the primary aim of making a quick profit, often resulting in unsafe or substandard structures.

Usage

• Jerry-building is a critical term used to describe unethical and negligent construction practices. It focuses on the intent (quick profit) and the result (inferior quality).
• It is typically used as a non-count noun to describe the general practice or method.
• The term carries a strong negative connotation, implying dishonesty and a disregard for safety and durability.

Examples

• The collapse of the apartment block was a tragic result of jerry-building and corrupt inspections.
• The city council launched an investigation into allegations of jerry-building in the new suburban developments.
• To cut costs, the contractor resorted to jerry-building, using substandard concrete and skipping essential reinforcements.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun to describe something related to this practice.
  • The scandal revealed a network of jerry-building contractors who had been operating for years.
• The person who engages in this practice is called a jerry-builder.
  • The developer was exposed as a jerry-builder after the walls began to crack within months.

Variants and Related Words

• Jerry-build (verb): To construct a building in this poor, quick manner.
  • They jerry-built those houses, and now the owners are facing endless repairs.
• Jerry-built (adjective): Describes a building that has been constructed in this way.
  • We moved out of the jerry-built office complex due to safety concerns.

Synonyms

• Shoddy construction: Emphasizes the poor quality of the workmanship.
• Cut-rate construction: Emphasizes the low cost and corner-cutting.
• Cowboy building (informal, chiefly UK): A colloquial term with a similar meaning.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To build on the cheap: To construct something with minimal expense, often implying compromised quality. This is a more general phrase, while jerry-building specifically implies negligence and profit-seeking.
  • They wanted to build on the cheap, but what they did crossed the line into jerry-building.

Noun

1. construction of inferior buildings for a quick profit