Word Finder
What's the word for doing something badly on purpose to avoid being asked again?
The word you're looking for
This means doing something on purpose, with a clear intention. In your idea, the person does it badly on purpose so they will not be asked again.
Other words that fit
Use this only if the bad work is meant to hurt someone, not just avoid more requests.
Use this when the action looks sloppy, but the bad result may not be intentional.
This is common in casual speech for poor-quality work, but it does not always show purpose.
Use this in more formal English when someone does something intentionally, often ignoring advice.
Why this word
The closest single word is usually not a perfect match, because your phrase describes an action plus a reason. People often say someone did it deliberately badly, or they did it badly on purpose, to avoid being asked again. If you want one word for the full idea, English often uses a phrase like “intentional incompetence” or “malicious compliance” depending on the situation. “Malicious compliance” fits when someone follows a request in a way that creates a bad result, but it is more specific than your description.
In context
- He answered deliberately badly so no one would ask him again.
- She did it deliberately to avoid more work.
- The report was written deliberately badly.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is there one exact English word for this idea?
- Not really. English usually uses a phrase, not a single word, for this full meaning.
- What is the closest phrase for this behavior?
- “Doing it badly on purpose” is the clearest everyday phrase. “Malicious compliance” can fit in some situations.
- Is this the same as being careless?
- No. Careless means not trying enough. Your idea means the person is trying to do it badly.
- What does “malicious compliance” mean?
- It means following a rule or request in a way that causes trouble or gives a bad result.