barely a scratch

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely a scratch" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means that something is only slightly or minimally damaged or affected. Example: After the car accident, he inspected the damage and was relieved to see that it was barely a scratch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Barely a scratch on it.

The New York Times - Magazine

This time, the industry has suffered barely a scratch.

The Economist

Fortunately the man survived, was in one piece and barely a scratch.

The New York Times

Although associated with this mess, Slater emerges with barely a scratch.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Jackson and another roommate, Francis Aguire, escaped with barely a scratch.

The New York Times

His is the only big name among China's ancient thinkers to have survived the communist era with barely a scratch.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I also thought the fall from a helicopter could have killed Peter and Olivia (who barely had a scratch), and the great Jared Harris was criminally underused as David Robert Jones.

Huffington Post

In Irini Miga's barely there "A Scratch on the Wall, A Moment Embedded In," the artist puts out a single cigarette on the gallery wall, its carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen smudged in a ghostly stain alongside it.

Huffington Post

Yet they are fighting for a few square miles of barren mountain where a few thousand souls barely scratch a living.

The Economist

Otherwise, it is in danger of recreating a 21st-century raj, as a wealthy few career down superhighways past farmers who can barely scratch a living from depleted soil.

The New York Times

These include a Mao-style order to build a new SARS hospital from scratch in barely a week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely a scratch" to convey that something sustained minimal damage or was only slightly affected by an event. It's effective in situations where more significant damage might have been expected.

Common error

Avoid using "barely a scratch" when the damage is actually significant. This phrase should be reserved for truly minor imperfections to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely a scratch" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent of damage or impact, indicating it is minimal. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely a scratch" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has sustained only minimal damage. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to downplay severity or highlight resilience. While alternatives like "hardly a scratch" and "just a scratch" exist, it's essential to use the phrase accurately, avoiding exaggeration and ensuring it aligns with the true extent of the damage. Using the phrase correctly can significantly enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly a scratch

Synonymous, with a slight variation in emphasis.

just a scratch

Indicates a minor superficial injury or damage.

merely a scratch

Highlights the insignificance of the damage.

only a scratch

Similar to "just a scratch", emphasizing the lack of severity.

without a mark

Implies no visible damage whatsoever.

slightly damaged

A more descriptive alternative, focusing on the minimal extent of the damage.

superficial damage

Technical term, refers to outer damages only.

virtually unscathed

Emphasizes the lack of harm despite a potentially harmful situation.

almost untouched

Suggests the item or person was negligibly affected.

in perfect condition

A stronger statement, indicates no damage is present.

FAQs

How can I use "barely a scratch" in a sentence?

You can use "barely a scratch" to describe something that has sustained very little damage, such as, "The car accident looked bad, but the car had "barely a scratch"."

What are some alternatives to "barely a scratch"?

Alternatives include "hardly a scratch", "just a scratch", or "only a scratch". These phrases all convey the idea of minimal damage.

Is it correct to say "there was barely a scratch on it"?

Yes, "there was barely a scratch on it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something was only slightly damaged.

What's the difference between "barely a scratch" and "pristine condition"?

"Barely a scratch" implies minimal damage, while "pristine condition" suggests that something is completely undamaged and in perfect condition.