dodgy

This term carries a strong sense of suspicion and instability, often used in informal British English to describe things that feel "off" or untrustworthy. It suggests a gut feeling of risk rather than a proven fact, making it ideal for describing a shady deal or a person who seems to be hiding something.

When applied to physical health or mechanics, the word shifts from moral suspicion to structural fragility. It describes a lingering weakness or a precarious state of repair, such as a joint that occasionally gives way or a piece of equipment that works intermittently.