a scrap of bread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scrap of bread" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small piece or fragment of bread, often in a context where scarcity or minimalism is emphasized. Example: "After the long hike, all I had left was a scrap of bread to sustain me until I reached the campsite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The children were fed a scrap of bread, and then set about begging.

The Guardian - Books

Originally it was a humble peasant treat on bread-baking day, made from a scrap of bread dough and baked on the stone floor of a village's wood-fired oven.

The New York Times - Food

All she wanted was a better quality of life for the 14,000 people of her home town, a place of cattle-raising in thorny chaparral amid dense tropical forest; to pull the place out of its neglect, in which most people "have to tear their souls apart every day to get a scrap of bread for their children".

The Economist

Not because of the daily massacres, the Scud missiles or the Mig helicopters; nor because of Syria's transformation into a hell on earth, where people die every day as they wait in line for a scrap of bread, where Assad's aircraft bombard the bread ovens so that the people will starve.

The Guardian - Books

Come on, we've come to your restaurant, hungry and ready to order an appetizer, an entrée, a few side dishes, maybe even dessert, but you'll begrudge us a scrap of bread to nibble on while we await our service?

Huffington Post

You who live safe In your warm houses, You who find, returning in the evening, Hot food and friendly faces: Consider if this is a man Who works in the mud, Who does not know peace, Who fights for a scrap of bread, Who dies because of a yes or a no.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Arnold Schwarzenegger outlawed production in California in 2004 in a cheap scrap of bread and circuses politics – his state had only one producer – and Chicago prohibited the sale of foie gras in its restaurants between 2006 and 2008, the mayor commenting that this brief ban was "the silliest thing they [the city council] have ever done".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Menashe says he has a cook working full-time on just the spice blends, and I can believe it). You carve off a bit of the dripping meat, tear off a scrap of hot laffa bread, tuck in the vegetables — you have constructed the ultimate taco al pastor of the Middle East, and the rich meat seems to transform from solid to ethereal liquid in an instant.

Los Angeles Times

Not a scrap of it.

The Guardian

It's like a scrap of Europe".

The New York Times

Kindly send me a scrap of Ranunculus sibbaldioides.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a scrap of bread" to vividly depict situations of poverty, scarcity, or desperation. This emphasizes the dire need for even the most basic sustenance.

Common error

Avoid using "a scrap of bread" in formal business or academic writing unless you're specifically illustrating extreme deprivation or a metaphorical lack of resources. Opt for more neutral terms like "a piece of bread" or "a small portion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scrap of bread" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a small, often insignificant, amount of bread, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it represents basic sustenance in dire situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a scrap of bread" is a noun phrase used to denote a very small amount of bread, often in contexts of scarcity or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples illustrating its use in news, business and general contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register, avoiding overuse in highly formal writing. Related phrases include "a morsel of bread" and "a crumb of bread", each adding slight nuances. Understanding these factors helps writers use the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a morsel of bread

Replaces "scrap" with "morsel", indicating a very small piece.

a crumb of bread

Substitutes "scrap" with "crumb", highlighting an even smaller fragment.

a piece of bread

Uses a more general term, indicating an unspecified quantity of bread.

a bit of bread

Similar to "a piece of bread", but implies a small amount.

a sliver of bread

Replaces "scrap" with "sliver", suggesting a thin, narrow piece.

a fragment of bread

Emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the bread portion.

a small portion of bread

More explicitly describes the bread quantity as limited.

a taste of bread

Focuses on the act of experiencing the bread, rather than the quantity.

a mouthful of bread

Indicates a quantity that can be consumed in one bite.

minimal bread ration

Emphasizes the limitation of the bread in a context of rationing or scarcity.

FAQs

How can I use "a scrap of bread" in a sentence?

You might say, "The refugees were grateful for even "a scrap of bread" after days without food", emphasizing their dire circumstances.

What can I say instead of "a scrap of bread" to indicate a small amount?

Consider using "a morsel of bread", "a crumb of bread", or "a small piece of bread" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a scrap of bread" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a scrap of bread" may be too informal or evocative for some formal contexts. A more neutral phrase like "a small portion of bread" may be more suitable.

What does "a scrap of bread" imply about the situation?

The phrase "a scrap of bread" often suggests scarcity, poverty, or desperation. It highlights the minimal amount of sustenance available in a difficult situation.