scrap the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"scrap the idea" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to abandon or discard an idea or plan. Example: "After realizing that the project was not feasible, the team decided to scrap the idea and start over with a new approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Even better, scrap the idea altogether.

The New York Times

The idea of solar shingles isn't entirely new – Dow Chemical produced them before deciding to scrap the idea in June.

The Guardian - Tech

Dr. Valantine said the findings had led her to scrap the idea that people should strive for "work-life balance" and instead think in terms of "work-life integration".

The New York Times

But on Sunday, Mr. Lieberman told the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, to scrap the idea of expanding Medicare and abandon any new government insurance plan or lose his vote.

The New York Times

Pressure is growing on the South Australian government to scrap the idea of building a high-level nuclear waste dump in the state's north after a citizens' jury rejected the concept.

The Guardian

Financial problems led March to scrap the idea but Scalextric liked it so much that it issued a slot-racing model, allowing fans to see the car race in 1/32nd scale at least.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But Forbes has temporarily scrapped the idea.

The New York Times - Sports

It then scrapped the idea under pressure from landowners.

The Economist

We can be grateful that he scrapped the idea.

The New York Times - Books

In the end, I think, they scrapped the idea.

The New York Times

The Obama national security team scrapped the idea of putting the new conventional weapon on submarines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrap the idea" when you want to clearly communicate that a plan or concept has been abandoned, often because it is no longer viable or desirable. It's a direct and easily understood way to convey this message.

Common error

While "scrap the idea" is widely understood, it can sound too informal for certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "abandon the plan" or "discontinue the strategy" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scrap the idea" is as a verb phrase, where "scrap" acts as a transitive verb taking "the idea" as its direct object. This phrase typically expresses the action of discarding or abandoning a previously considered concept or plan. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scrap the idea" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that means to abandon or discard a plan or concept. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently found in News & Media. While generally neutral to slightly informal, it's crucial to consider the context and audience; more formal alternatives may be suitable for professional or academic settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to directly and clearly communicate that a plan is no longer being pursued, but be mindful of potential overuse in highly formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon the plan

Focuses on the action of giving up a specific plan.

discard the concept

Emphasizes the removal of a theoretical concept.

drop the proposal

Highlights the act of ceasing to promote or consider a proposal.

reject the notion

Implies a firm refusal to accept an idea.

shelve the project

Suggests putting a project aside, potentially temporarily.

cancel the initiative

Focuses on formally terminating a project or undertaking.

discontinue the strategy

Emphasizes ceasing a particular strategic approach.

rescind the decision

Highlights the reversal of a previously made decision.

withdraw the suggestion

Implies taking back a previously offered suggestion.

nullify the scheme

Indicates rendering a plan or scheme invalid or ineffective.

FAQs

What does "scrap the idea" mean?

The phrase "scrap the idea" means to abandon or get rid of a plan, project, or concept.

How can I use "scrap the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "scrap the idea" when a plan is no longer feasible or desirable. For example: "After the budget cuts, we had to scrap the idea of building a new office."

What are some alternatives to "scrap the idea"?

Some alternatives to "scrap the idea" include "abandon the plan", "discard the concept", or "reject the notion". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "scrap the idea" formal or informal?

"Scrap the idea" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly informal. While appropriate for most everyday conversations and news contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or high-level business settings.