Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense scrapes, present participle scraping, past tense, past participle scraped
1. verb
If you scrape something from a surface, you remove it, especially by pulling a sharp object over the surface.
She went round the car scraping the frost off the windows. [VERB noun with adverb]
Young children were trying to scrape up some of the rice that spilled from the sacks. [VERB noun with adverb]
Synonyms: rake, sweep, drag, brush More Synonyms of scrape
2. verb
If something scrapes against something else or if someone or something scrapes something else, it rubs against it, making a noise or causing slight damage.
The only sound is that of knives and forks scraping against china. [VERB preposition]
The cab driver struggled with her luggage, scraping a bag against the door as theycame in. [VERB noun preposition]
The car hurtled past us, scraping the wall and screeching to a halt. [VERB noun]
There was a scraping sound as she dragged the heels of her shoes along the pavement. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: grate, grind, scratch, screech More Synonyms of scrape
Scrape is also a noun.
From the other side of the door came the scrape of a guard's boot.
scrapingsingular noun [NOUNof noun]
The house was silent but for the scraping of a branch on the slates.
3. verb
If you scrape a part of your body, you accidentally rub it against something hard and rough, and damage it slightly.
She stumbled and fell, scraping her palms and knees. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: graze, skin, scratch, bark More Synonyms of scrape
4. countable noun [usu in/intoN]
If you are in a scrape, you are in a difficult situation which you have caused yourself.
[old-fashioned]
We got into terrible scrapes.
Synonyms: predicament, trouble, difficulty, spot [informal] More Synonyms of scrape
5. to scrape the barrel
6. to scrape a living
Phrasal verbs:
See scrape by
See scrape through
See scrape together
More Synonyms of scrape
scrape in British English
(skreɪp)
verb
1.
to move (a rough or sharp object) across (a surface), esp to smooth or clean
2. (tr; often foll by away or off)
to remove (a layer) by rubbing
3.
to produce a harsh or grating sound by rubbing against (an instrument, surface, etc)
4. (transitive)
to injure or damage by rough contact
to scrape one's knee
5. (intransitive)
to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and scrape)
6. (intransitive)
to draw the foot backwards in making a bow
7. (transitive)
to finish (a surface) by use of a scraper
8. (transitive)
to make (a bearing, etc) fit by scraping
9. (transitive) computing
to collect (data) by running a program over the output generated by another program
10. bow and scrape
noun
11.
the act of scraping
12.
a scraped place
13.
a harsh or grating sound
14. informal
an awkward or embarrassing predicament
15. informal
a conflict or struggle
Derived forms
scrapable (ˈscrapable)
adjective
scraper (ˈscraper)
noun
Word origin
Old English scrapian; related to Old Norse skrapa, Middle Dutch schrapen, Middle High German schraffen
scrape in American English
(skreɪp)
verb transitiveWord forms: scraped or ˈscraping
1.
to rub over the surface of with something rough or sharp
2.
to make smooth or clean by rubbing with a tool or abrasive
3.
to remove by rubbing with something sharp or rough
with off, out, etc.
4.
to scratch or abrade by a rough, rubbing contact
to fall and scrape one's knee
5.
to rub with a harsh, grating sound
chalk scraping a blackboard
6.
to dig, esp. with the hands and nails
7.
to collect or gather slowly and with difficulty
to scrape together some money
verb intransitive
8.
to scrape something so as to remove dirt, etc.
9.
to rub against something harshly; grate
10.
to give out a harsh, grating noise
11.
to collect or gather goods or money slowly and with difficulty
12.
to manage to get by; survive
with through, along, by
13.
to draw the foot back along the ground in bowing
noun
14.
the act of scraping
15.
a scraped place; abrasion or scratch
16.
the noise of scraping; harsh, grating sound
17.
a disagreeable or embarrassing situation; predicament, esp. when caused by one's own conduct
18.
a fight or conflict
Derived forms
scraper (ˈscraper)
noun
Word origin
ME scrapen < ON skrapa, akin to Du schrapen, OE screpan, to scratch < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > scurf, sharp
More idioms containing
scrape
bow and scrape
scrape the bottom of the barrel
Examples of 'scrape' in a sentence
scrape
I could easily scrape through to the base metal with my fingernail.
Robert Silverberg LORD PRESTIMION (2001)
In other languages
scrape
British English: scrape VERB
remove If you scrape something from a surface, you remove it, especially by pulling a sharp object over the surface.
She went round the car scraping the frost off the windows.
American English: scrape
Brazilian Portuguese: raspar
Chinese: 刮掉
European Spanish: raspar
French: racler
German: kratzen
Italian: raschiare
Japanese: こすり落とす
Korean: 긁어내다
European Portuguese: raspar
Latin American Spanish: raspar
British English: scrape VERB
knee If you scrape a part of your body, you accidentally rub it against something hard and rough, and damage it slightly.
She stumbled and fell, scraping her palms and knees.
American English: scrape
Brazilian Portuguese: arranhar
Chinese: 刮擦
European Spanish: arañar
French: s'écorcher
German: schürfen
Italian: graffiarsi
Japanese: すりむく
Korean: 찰과상을 내다
European Portuguese: arranhar
Latin American Spanish: arañar
All related terms of 'scrape'
scrape by
If someone scrapes by , they earn just enough money to live on with difficulty .
scrape in
to succeed in entering with difficulty or by a narrow margin
scrape through
If you scrape through an examination , you just succeed in passing it. If you scrape through a competition or a vote , you just succeed in winning it.
scrape together
If you scrape together an amount of money or a number of things, you succeed in obtaining it with difficulty.
bow and scrape
to be too respectful towards a powerful or famous person
scrape the barrel
to be forced to use one's last and weakest resource
scrape the bottom of the barrel
to use something or do something that is not very good , because you cannot think of anything better to use or do
to scrape a living scratch a living
If you say that someone scrapes a living or scratches a living , you mean that they manage to earn enough to live on, but it is very difficult . In American English, you say they scrape out a living or scratch out a living .
to scrape the barrel to scrape the bottom of the barrel
If you say that someone is scraping the barrel , or scraping the bottom of the barrel , you disapprove of the fact that they are using or doing something of extremely poor quality.
Chinese translation of 'scrape'
scrape
(skreɪp)
vt
(= clean) 擦净(淨) (cājìng)
(= hurt) 擦伤(傷) (cāshāng)
(= damage) 刮坏(壞) (guāhuài)
vi
刮 (guā)
n
(s) (= sound) 刮擦声(聲) (guācāshēng)
(c) (inf, o.f., = difficulty) 窘境 (jiǒngjìng)
to scrape sth off/from sth从(從)某物刮掉/刮去某物 (cóng mǒuwù guādiào/guāqù mǒuwù)
1 (verb)
Definition
to move (a rough or sharp object) across (a surface)
She went round the car scraping the frost off the windows.
Synonyms
rake
Ragged fingernails raked her skin.
sweep
Suddenly, she was swept along by the crowd.
drag
brush
I felt her hair brushing the back of my shoulder.
2 (verb)
Definition
to produce a grating sound by rubbing against (something else)
The only sound is that of knives and forks scraping against china.
Synonyms
grate
His chair grated as he got to his feet.
grind
If you grind your teeth at night, see your dentist.
scratch
Knives will scratch the worktop.
screech
squeak
rasp
The blade rasped over his skin.
3 (verb)
Definition
to injure or damage by scraping
She stumbled and fell, scraping her palms and knees.
Synonyms
graze
I had grazed my knees a little.
skin
He fell down and skinned his knee.
scratch
He had blood on his nose and he had scratched his knees.
bark
She barked her shin off the edge of the drawer.
scuff
She scuffed her shoes on the pavement.
rub
Smear cream on to prevent it from rubbing.
abrade
The rough rock had abraded her skin.
4 (verb)
Definition
to remove (a layer) by rubbing
She scraped food off the plates into the bin.
Synonyms
clean
Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin.
It took half an hour to clean the orange powder off the bath.
remove
scour
He decided to scour the sink.
5 (verb)
Synonyms
clean
save
The majority of people intend to save.
struggle
pinch
Her aunt had had to pinch and save to buy her the things she wanted.
stint
He didn't stint on the special effects.
skimp
Many families must skimp on their food and other necessities.
cut it fine
tighten your belt
(noun)
Definition
an awkward or embarrassing situation
(informal)
We got into terrible scrapes.
Synonyms
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
spot (informal)
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
fix (informal)
The government has got itself in a fix.
mess
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
distress
dilemma
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
tight spot
awkward situation
pretty pickle (informal)
Phrasal verbs
See scrape by
See scrape something together
idiom
See scrape through
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abrade
The rough rock had abraded her skin.
Synonyms
scrape,
grind,
skin,
file,
scratch,
erode,
graze,
erase,
scour,
wear off,
rub off,
wear down,
scuff,
wear away,
scrape away,
scrape out
in the sense of bark
Definition
to scrape or rub off (skin), as in an injury
She barked her shin off the edge of the drawer.
Synonyms
scrape,
skin,
strip,
rub,
scratch,
shave,
graze,
scuff,
flay,
abrade
in the sense of brush
Definition
to touch lightly and briefly
I felt her hair brushing the back of my shoulder.
Synonyms
touch,
come into contact with,
sweep,
kiss,
stroke,
glance,
flick,
scrape,
graze,
caress
Synonyms of 'scrape'
scrape
Explore 'scrape' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of difficulty
Definition
an objection or obstacle
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
Synonyms
problem,
trouble,
obstacle,
hurdle,
dilemma,
hazard,
complication,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
pitfall,
stumbling block,
impediment,
hindrance,
tribulation,
quandary,
can of worms (informal),
point at issue,
disputed point
in the sense of dilemma
Definition
a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms
predicament,
problem,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
puzzle,
jam (informal),
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
pickle (informal),
how-do-you-do (informal),
quandary,
perplexity,
tight corner or spot
in the sense of fix
Definition
a difficult situation
The government has got itself in a fix.
Synonyms
mess,
spot (informal),
corner,
hole (slang),
difficulty,
jam (informal),
dilemma,
embarrassment,
plight,
hot water (informal),
pickle (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
difficult situation,
quandary,
tight spot,
ticklish situation
in the sense of grind
Definition
(of two objects) to scrape together with a harsh rasping sound
If you grind your teeth at night, see your dentist.
Synonyms
grate,
scrape,
grit,
gnash
in the sense of mess
Definition
a confused and difficult situation
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
plight,
spot (informal),
hole (informal),
fix (informal),
jam (informal),
hot water (informal),
stew (informal),
mix-up,
muddle,
pickle (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
deep water,
perplexity,
tight spot,
imbroglio,
fine kettle of fish (informal)
in the sense of pinch
Her aunt had had to pinch and save to buy her the things she wanted.
Synonyms
scrimp,
press,
spare,
distress,
stint,
afflict,
oppress,
skimp,
economize,
be stingy,
pinch pennies,
tighten your belt
in the sense of plight
Definition
a dangerous or difficult situation
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
Synonyms
difficulty,
condition,
state,
situation,
trouble,
circumstances,
dilemma,
straits,
predicament,
extremity,
perplexity
in the sense of rasp
Definition
to scrape or rub (something) roughly
The blade rasped over his skin.
Synonyms
scrape,
grind,
file,
sand,
rub,
scour,
excoriate,
abrade
in the sense of rub
Definition
to chafe or fray through rubbing
Smear cream on to prevent it from rubbing.
Synonyms
chafe,
scrape,
grate,
abrade,
fray
in the sense of save
Definition
to set aside or reserve (money or goods) for future use
The majority of people intend to save.
Synonyms
budget,
be economical,
economize,
scrimp and save,
retrench,
be frugal,
make economies,
be thrifty,
tighten your belt (informal),
watch your pennies,
draw in your horns
Additional synonyms
in the sense of scour
Definition
to clean or polish (a surface) by rubbing with something rough
He decided to scour the sink.
Synonyms
scrub,
clean,
polish,
rub,
cleanse,
buff,
burnish,
whiten,
furbish (formal),
abrade
in the sense of scratch
Definition
to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument
Knives will scratch the worktop.
Synonyms
mark,
cut,
score,
damage,
grate,
graze,
etch,
lacerate,
incise,
make a mark on
in the sense of scratch
Definition
to rub against (the skin) causing a slight cut
He had blood on his nose and he had scratched his knees.
Synonyms
cut,
skin,
wound,
rub,
bark,
scrape,
graze,
rasp,
chafe,
lacerate,
abrade
in the sense of scuff
Definition
to scrape (one's shoes) by doing so
She scuffed her shoes on the pavement.
Synonyms
scratch,
scrape,
graze,
chafe,
roughen,
abrade
in the sense of skimp
Definition
to be extremely sparing or supply (someone) sparingly
Many families must skimp on their food and other necessities.
Synonyms
stint,
scrimp,
be sparing with,
pinch,
withhold,
scant,
cut corners,
scamp,
be mean with,
be niggardly,
tighten your belt
in the sense of skin
Definition
to injure (a part of the body) by scraping some of the skin off
He fell down and skinned his knee.
Synonyms
scrape,
graze,
bark,
flay,
excoriate,
abrade
in the sense of spot
Definition
an awkward situation
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
mess,
plight,
hot water (informal),
quandary,
tight spot
in the sense of stint
Definition
to be miserly with (something)
He didn't stint on the special effects.
Synonyms
be mean,
hold back,
be sparing,
scrimp,
skimp on,
save,
withhold,
begrudge,
economize,
be frugal,
be parsimonious,
be mingy (British, informal),
spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar
in the sense of sweep
Suddenly, she was swept along by the crowd.
Synonyms
carry,
pull,
drag,
drive
in the sense of trouble
a charity that helps women in trouble with the law