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."
"That pub looked a bit ropey from the outside, but the chips were decent so we risked it."
"I'm not coming to five-a-side, mate. Feeling proper ropey after last night."
"I was gonna eat the leftover prawn mayo, but it smelled a bit ropey so I binned it."
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Where it comes from
It’s been around in British English since at least the 19th century, first carrying the sense of weak, poor quality, or second-rate. From there it spread nicely into everyday slang for anything dodgy, shaky, or below par, and later for people feeling a bit ill, drained, or hungover too.
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