a last minute scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a last minute scratch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is canceled or removed at the very last moment, often unexpectedly. Example: "The event was set to take place this weekend, but due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a last minute scratch from the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Prep's Kevin Cheng was a last minute scratch from the finals for personal reasons, according to Goto, despite the fact he qualified and was seeded highly for a number of events in prelims.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Starting in this year's six-furlong Grand Nutional are three celebrated racing squirrels: the top contender from last year, Lord Greystroke (who, it turns out, was a last-minute scratch), Ninja Nutcase (wearing black and red colours), and Lady Bobtail (wearing pink and black colours).

The Guardian

Noah was a last-minute scratch for the Bulls because of a left foot injury.

The New York Times

Guard Lucious Harris sat on the bench in a suit, a last-minute scratch because of a sore right hamstring, which he hopes will be better by Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

Ben was a last-minute scratch because of a rib injury, but Patrick scored two goals as the Eagles, ranked third in the two national polls, defeated the Badgers, 4-2.

The New York Times - Sports

"You say you're the best handicapper, but you only win one out of nine," the son said of his father's longtime love, noting that racing wagers were threatened by the human element, like a last-minute scratch or a jockey who pulled back before the finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

The Angels had scored just two runs in their previous 46 innings before scoring three unearned runs in the third against the A's, who played without Jason Giambi.Giambi, last season's A.L. most valuable player, was a last-minute scratch from the lineup when he felt soreness in his strained right calf.

The New York Times - Sports

Erick Dampier added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, who improbably won for the third time in four games despite playing without Antawn Jamison, Chris Mills and Larry Hughes, who was a last-minute scratch because of a sprained ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

Need a last minute gift?

Huffington Post

Use tapioca as a last minute thickener.

WikiHow

Let the industry note that, despite the last-minute scratch of the colt, NYRA reported that the handle was up 32.9 percent from Belmont Day last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a last minute scratch", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed or cancelled. For example, "The starting pitcher was a last minute scratch due to illness."

Common error

Avoid using "a last minute scratch" in contexts where 'scratch' might be interpreted as a physical mark or injury. Rephrase to avoid ambiguity. For example, use "a late withdrawal" or "a sudden cancellation" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a last minute scratch" functions as a noun phrase, typically describing an unexpected or abrupt removal or cancellation just before an event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Sports

24%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a last minute scratch" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, most commonly found in news and sports contexts to describe a sudden cancellation or removal. While Ludwig AI validates its usage, it's important to be mindful of the register, opting for more formal alternatives like "late withdrawal" or "sudden cancellation" in professional or academic settings. Remember to ensure clarity to prevent misinterpretation of "scratch" as a physical mark. This phrase offers a concise way to convey the timing and unexpected nature of a change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late withdrawal

Focuses on the act of withdrawing, emphasizing the lateness of the action.

sudden cancellation

Highlights the unexpected nature of the cancellation.

last-second pullout

Uses informal language to describe a very late withdrawal.

unexpected absence

Emphasizes the surprise element of someone not being present.

final hour removal

Emphasizes the very short time frame before the event.

eleventh-hour cancellation

An idiomatic expression for a very late cancellation.

abrupt disqualification

Indicates a sudden removal due to a rule or condition.

short-notice deletion

Highlights that the removal was communicated with little advance warning.

hasty exclusion

Suggests a rushed or hurried decision to exclude someone or something.

immediate retraction

Focuses on the act of taking something back right before it was supposed to be used.

FAQs

What does "a last minute scratch" mean?

It means a sudden removal or cancellation of someone or something shortly before a scheduled event or activity. It implies the decision was made very close to the start time.

How can I use "a last minute scratch" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the unexpected absence of a participant, like, "The star player was "a last minute scratch" from the lineup."

What's a more formal alternative to "a last minute scratch"?

More formal alternatives include "late withdrawal" or "sudden cancellation". These options are suitable for professional communications.

Is it appropriate to use "a last minute scratch" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a last minute scratch" may be too informal for academic writing. Consider using "unforeseen exclusion" or "late substitution" depending on the specific context.