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Region: General | Usage example: We did a quick-and-dirty mock-up for the pitch.

Quick and dirty

Meaning

A fast but imperfect solution.

Usage

Used when speed trumps polish.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Colloquial phrase describing dirty urgent work.

Used in engineering and creative fields since the 20th century.