- To assemble, build, or repair something in a makeshift, temporary, or improvised manner, using only the materials readily available, often cleverly or resourcefully.
- Jury-rig is the older term, often implying a less elegant or potentially unreliable fix.
- MacGyver specifically implies clever resourcefulness using everyday objects, inspired by the TV show character.
Explanation
Origin
- Jury-rig: A nautical term from the 18th century. A jury mast was a temporary mast raised after the original was broken, using available spars and ropes. The origin of jury here is uncertain, possibly from Old French ajurie (help, relief) or jour (day, implying temporary). It came to mean makeshift or temporary in general maritime use, then spread.
- MacGyver: Directly from the name of Angus MacGyver, the protagonist of the US television series MacGyver (1985–1992 and later reboot). He was famous for escaping perilous situations by creating ingenious devices from ordinary items like paper clips, duct tape, chewing gum, etc. His name became a verb meaning to fix or create something in such a resourceful, improvised way.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Bodge (it) (UK/Aus often implies clumsiness)
- Kludge (it) (esp. tech often implies inefficient but working fix)
- Rig (it) up
- Cobble (it) together
- Whip something up (create quickly/improvised)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Less common for the action, more for describing the result)
- This fucking thing is held together with spit and prayer / duct tape.
Milder:
- Improvise a repair / solution.
- Create a makeshift solution.
- Fashion something out of available materials.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Both terms imply a non-standard, possibly temporary solution. Jury-rig can sometimes imply a slightly cruder fix than the cleverness associated with MacGyver.
- MacGyver is more culturally specific and relies on shared knowledge of the TV show.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Ensure learners understand these imply makeshift, improvised fixes, not standard repairs.
- The cultural reference of MacGyver might be lost on some, though the context usually clarifies the meaning (resourceful improvisation).
Examples
Jury-rig:
- The exhaust pipe fell off, so he jury-rigged it back on with a coat hanger.
- We needed a temporary fence, so we jury-rigged one using old pallets.
MacGyver:
- My phone stand broke, so I MacGyvered one out of a binder clip.
- He managed to MacGyver the broken lock using just a credit card and a paperclip.
Dialogue
Camper 1: Oh no, the handle on our cooking pot broke off!
Camper 2: Damn. Okay, let me see... Got any wire? Maybe I can jury-rig a handle.
Camper 1: Wait, I have pliers and some thick gardening wire... you think you can MacGyver something?
Camper 2: Let's find out! Hand them over.
Social Media Examples
- Reddit (r/DIY): Had to jury-rig a temporary patch for the leaky pipe until the plumber arrives. Hope it holds! #DIYfail #plumbing
- Tweet: My glasses broke right before my presentation. Taped them together like a true hero. Totally MacGyvered it. 😎 #lifeskills #ducttapefixeseverything
- Instagram Story: Showing a clever makeshift tool with caption: When you don't have the right tool, you MacGyver one! 😉 #workshop #maker
Response Patterns
- Wow, that's clever/resourceful! (Especially for MacGyvering)
- Will it hold? / Is it safe? (Often for jury-rigging)
- Impressive improvisation!
- Needs must! (Acknowledging the necessity).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After something has been jury-rigged or MacGyvered:
- Inspecting the makeshift solution.
- Asking how it was done or what materials were used.
- Discussing whether a permanent fix is needed.
- Admiring the ingenuity (especially for MacGyvering).
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes a specific type of improvised solution to a problem that has occurred.
Intonation
- Stress on Jury-rig or MacGyver.
- He had to JURY-RIG a solution.
- She totally MACGYVERED it! (Often said with admiration for the ingenuity).
Generation Differences
- Jury-rig is older and generally understood across generations, though perhaps less commonly used by younger people.
- MacGyver is very familiar to Gen X and Millennials who grew up with the show or its cultural references. Its familiarity decreases with younger Gen Z and older generations who missed the show's peak.
Regional Variations
- Jury-rig is widespread in English.
- MacGyver originated in the US but is understood in many English-speaking countries due to the show's international broadcast. Usage might be higher in North America.