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A Writer's Dictionary:

scrape Definition


Dictionary Home » Words Starting with S » scot-free ... scratches » scrape


scrape
verb scraped, scraping
    1. To push or drag (especially a sharp object) along or over (a hard or rough surface).
      Thesaurus: abrade, scuff, rasp, rub, file, graze, grind.
      Form: scrape something along, over etc something (also)
    intr
    2. To move along a surface with a grazing action.
    3. To graze (the skin) by a scraping action.
    4. To move along (a surface) with a grating sound.
    intr
    5. To make a grating sound.
    6. To remove it from or smooth a surface with such an action.
      Form: scrape something off (also)
    7. To make savings through hardship.
      Example: We managed to scrape enough for a holiday
    intr
    8. colloq
      To play the fiddle.
noun
    1. An instance, process or act of dragging or grazing.
    2. A part damaged or cleaned by scraping.
    3. A scraped area in the ground.
    4. A graze (of the skin).
      Thesaurus: abrasion, scratch, scuff, contusion, lesion.
    5. A backward sliding movement of one foot accompanying a bow.
    6. colloq
      A difficult or embarrassing situation or predicament.
      Thesaurus: difficulty, dilemma, distress, plight, mess, predicament, trouble, fix, pickle (slang), a pretty kettle of fish (slang).
    7. colloq
      A fight or quarrel.
Derivative: scraper
    A person who scrapes.
    A scraping tool, device or machine.
Idiom: bow and scrape
    To be over-obsequious.
Idiom: scrape acquaintance with someone
    To contrive to get to know them.
Idiom: scrape the bottom of the barrel
    To utilize the very last and worst of one's resources, opinions, etc.
Etymology: Anglo-Saxon scrapian.

Phrasal Verb: scrape through or by
    To manage or succeed in doing something narrowly or with difficulty.
      Example: He just scraped through the interview
Phrasal Verb: scrape something together or up
    To collect it little by little, usually with difficulty.


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