scrape

scrape

I

scrape¹ /skreɪp/ verb1. [transitive] to remove something from a surface using the edge of a knife, a stick etc:
    Scrape the carrots and slice them thinly.
    scrape something away/off
    The earth was scraped away to uncover a trapdoor.
    scrape something off/into etc something
    Teresa scraped the mud off her boots.
    The two of them scraped their dishes clean.
2. [intransitive, transitive 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 something against/on something
    I scraped my knee painfully on the concrete.
3. [intransitive and transitive] to make a noise by rubbing roughly against a surface:
    Chairs scraped loudly as they stood up.
    scrape (something) on/down/against something
    He opened the gate quietly, trying not to let it scrape on the gravel.
4. scrape home especially British English 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 something ↔ back phrasal verb
  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 phrasal verb
  1. to have just enough money to live:
    We can scrape by, thanks to what we grow ourselves.
  2. to only just succeed in passing an examination or dealing with a difficult situation
scrape in (also scrape into something) phrasal verb
  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 (something) phrasal verb
  to only just succeed in passing an examination or dealing with a difficult situation:
    I managed to scrape through the exam.
scrape something ↔ together/up phrasal verb
  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.

II

scrape² noun
1. [countable] a mark or slight injury caused by rubbing against a rough surface
   SYN  graze:
    I came away from the accident with only cuts and scrapes.
2. [countable] 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.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ injury damage to part of your body caused by an accident or an attack: The passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
   ▪ wound an injury, especially a deep cut in your skin made by a knife, bullet, or bomb: He died of a gunshot wound to the head.
   ▪ cut a small injury made when a sharp object cuts your skin: Blood was running from a cut on his chin.
   ▪ bruise a dark mark on your skin that you get when you fall or get hit: Jack often comes home from playing rugby covered in bruises.
   ▪ graze/scrape a small injury that marks your skin or breaks the surface slightly: She fell off her bike and got a few grazes on her legs and knees.
   ▪ gash a long deep cut: He had a deep gash across his forehead.
   ▪ bump an area of skin that is swollen because you have hit it against something: How did you get that bump on your head?
   ▪ sprain an injury to your ankle, wrist, knee etc, caused by suddenly twisting it: It’s a slight sprain – you should rest your ankle for a week.
   ▪ strain an injury to a muscle caused by stretching it or using it too much: a muscle strain in his neck
   ▪ fracture a crack or broken part in a bone: a hip fracture