scrape

scrape¹ [skreıp] v

[Date: 1300-1400; : Old Norse; Origin: skrapa]

1.) [T]

to remove something from a surface using the edge of a knife, a stick etc

▪ Scrape the carrots and slice them thinly.

scrape sth away/off

▪ The earth was scraped away to uncover a trap door.

scrape sth off/into etc sth

▪ Teresa scraped the mud off her boots.

▪ The two of them scraped their dishes clean .

2.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition]

to rub against a rough surface in a way that causes slight damage or injury, or to make something do this

→↑graze

▪ The coat was too long; the hem scraped the pavement.

scrape against/on etc

▪ I heard the side of the car scrape against the wall.

scrape sth against/on sth

▪ I scraped my knee painfully on the concrete.

3.) [I and T]

to make a noise by rubbing roughly against a surface

▪ Chairs scraped loudly as they stood up.

scrape (sth) on/down/against sth

▪ He opened the gate quietly, trying not to let it scrape on the gravel.

4.) scrape home

especially BrE to win a race, election, or competition by a very small amount

▪ The Tories may scrape home, but it's unlikely.

5.) scrape (the bottom of) the barrel informal

to have to use something even though it is not very good, because there is nothing better available

▪ It was clear that the party was scraping the barrel for competent politicians.

→bow and scrape at ↑bow¹ (5), scrape/scratch a living at ↑living² (1)

scrape back [scrape sth<=>back] phr v

if you scrape your hair back, you pull it away from your face and tie it at the back

▪ Her blonde hair was scraped back into a ponytail.

scrape by phr v

1.) to have just enough money to live

▪ In the rural areas, people could scrape by, thanks to what they grew themselves.

2.) to only just succeed in passing an examination or dealing with a difficult situation

scrape in phr v

to only just succeed in getting a job, a place at university, a position in government etc

▪ Labour scraped in by a small majority.

▪ He just scraped into college.

scrape through () [scrape through (sth)] phr v

to only just succeed in passing an examination or dealing with a difficult situation

▪ I managed to scrape through the exam.

scrape together/up [scrape sth<=>together/up] phr v

to get enough money for a particular purpose, when this is difficult

▪ She scraped together the last of her savings.

▪ They could hardly scrape up enough money for the train fare.

scrape ²

scrape² n

1.)

a mark or slight injury caused by rubbing against a rough surface

= ↑graze

▪ I came away from the accident with only cuts and scrapes.

2.) informal

a situation in which you are in trouble or have difficulties

▪ He got into all sorts of scrapes as a boy.

3.) [singular]

the noise made when one surface rubs roughly against another

scrape of

▪ He heard the scrape of chairs being dragged across the floor.