I scraped through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I scraped through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone has managed to succeed or pass something with difficulty, often implying that the success was not by a large margin. Example: "Despite not studying much for the exam, I scraped through with a passing grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I scraped through my A-levels, but I was taught well".

The Guardian

I scraped through my O-levels and just got into sixth form, and then decided that, 'Hang on, I'd better take control of my own life.' I don't like talking about this much, because I feel responsible to my parents.

The Guardian - Film

At university she couldn't maintain the unrealistic standards she had set herself and the eating disorder she'd had as a teenager returned: "I scraped through my first year, but don't remember it.

The Guardian

M2: I was able to show the student my poster…… my student's initial reaction to that was 'that's fantastic', and I said 'no it's not, I scraped through and my poster is a perfect example of what not to do.

BMC Medical Education

M2 showed his student his poster as a means of demonstrating what mistakes he made so that his student did not replicate these: M2: I was able to show the student my poster…… my student's initial reaction to that was 'that's fantastic', and I said 'no it's not, I scraped through and my poster is a perfect example of what not to do.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I'm not bothered whether in the semi-finals tomorrow I scrape through in eighth place.

Independent

I'm not bothered whether in the semi-finals I scrape through in eighth place.

Independent

The legislation scraped through, saving Mr Blair from the indignity of a vote of confidence despite his large parliamentary majority.

The Economist

In the end it scraped through, with some conditions attached by the EU.

The Economist

Lowe, 21, was fifth fastest in 57.57 seconds with Gandy scraping through in eighth in 57.97.

BBC

I was rather hopeless, I suspect". Having "scraped" through some O-levels, she enrolled in a local drama school at the suggestion of a teacher who must have seen something in the 16 year old.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I scraped through" to convey that success was achieved with difficulty, indicating a close call or minimal effort. Consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "I scraped through" when the success was easily achieved. This phrase implies a struggle or a close call, so use it accurately to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I scraped through" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It typically conveys a personal experience of barely succeeding in a task or situation. As supported by Ludwig AI, it describes how someone has managed to pass something with difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I scraped through" is a common and acceptable way to express that you barely succeeded at something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, which implies a narrow margin of success. While grammatically correct, it leans towards informal contexts and is best suited for personal narratives or casual conversation. More formal settings may benefit from alternatives like "I narrowly succeeded". The phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, used to convey a sense of relief and slight surprise at achieving a minimum level of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I barely passed

Focuses on the minimal passing aspect.

I narrowly succeeded

Emphasizes the slight margin of success.

I only just made it

Highlights the difficulty and closeness of the success.

I squeaked by

Implies a lucky or fortunate escape or success.

I scraped by

Uses a similar verb but simplifies the structure.

I got through by the skin of my teeth

An idiomatic expression for a very narrow escape or success.

I managed to pass with difficulty

Focuses on the effort required to achieve success.

I squeezed through

Suggests a tight fit or narrow passage to success.

I limped across the finish line

An idiomatic expression that paints a picture of barely finishing something due to exhaustion or damage.

I inched my way through

Shows a slow but eventual success in some context.

FAQs

What does "I scraped through" mean?

The phrase "I scraped through" means you barely succeeded or passed something, often implying it was difficult and the margin of success was small.

What can I say instead of "I scraped through"?

You can use alternatives like "I barely passed", "I narrowly succeeded", or "I only just made it" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "I scraped through" or "I passed easily"?

The choice depends on the situation. Use "I scraped through" when you want to emphasize the difficulty of the task and how close you were to failing. Use "I passed easily" when you want to highlight that the task was not challenging.

Can "I scraped through" be used in formal writing?

While usable, "I scraped through" is more informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "I narrowly succeeded" or "I managed to pass with difficulty" to maintain a professional tone.