scrape

USAGE SUMMARY

'scrape' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a scraping or scratching motion—for example, "I scraped the ice off of my car windshield."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Saving Mr Banks concludes at the point when it can just about scrape together a happy ending.

The Guardian - Film

Related: Eurozone pins hope on long-awaited economic rebound But last Wednesday Greece managed to scrape together €200m for an earlier instalment to the IMF.

The Guardian

"I've literally had to scrape people up off the pavement and carry them to the hossy doors".

The Guardian

Irish, whose director of rugby, Brian Smith, left abruptly in January, were happy to scrape home after seeing two other players yellow-carded.

The Guardian - Sport

Sarah and Robert reveal that they have each spent USH 460,000 ($180) on products so far, paying in instalments from what they could borrow or scrape together Robert, 30, tells a similar tale.

The Guardian

A Eurogroup meeting on 11 May seems to be the new cut-off point, but before that Greece needs to scrape enough cash together to fulfil its imminent payments, with the International Monetary Fund on Thursday ruling out any postponement of what it is owed.

The Guardian

He says: "The help-to-buy Isa will help people scrape together deposits but it fails to address the root cause of unaffordability – the chronic undersupply of homes, which has driven up prices".

The Guardian - Money

Stosur's results have been patchy in the lead-up events, losing all three matches at the Hopman Cup before steadying to scrape her way through to a semi-final in Hobart.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, wash the cucumber and tomatoes, and scrape the skin from the ginger.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His working day lasts between 16 - 18 hours, typically, during which he must earn enough to pay the 800 rupees-a-day rental on his car, as well as his fuel expenses, and scrape together 3,000 rupees (£30) over the month to cover the 15ft-by-10ft 15ft-by-10ft 15ft-by-10ftnd showeroom shares with four other people.

The Guardian

As a result the piece I filed failed to contain the line: "For £8,000, the artist … said he would visit a patron's home, lay a new piece of carpet, scrape away and mould personalised sculptures".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrape" when you want to express the idea of achieving something with difficulty or narrowly avoiding failure.

Common error

Avoid using "scrape" interchangeably with verbs like "scratch" or "graze" without considering the specific context. "Scrape" often implies a more forceful or extensive action than a simple "scratch".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scrape" is a verb, used to describe the action of drawing something across a surface, often with force. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with examples where "scrape" signifies physical actions or barely achieving something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "scrape" is a versatile verb with multiple meanings, ranging from physical actions to barely achieving a goal. As Ludwig AI underlines, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and lifestyle contexts. When writing, be mindful of the specific context to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "scratch" or "graze" might be more appropriate for minor abrasions, while "extract" or "harvest" are suitable in the context of data collection. Avoiding confusion with similar verbs and being aware of the context can help writers use "scrape" effectively and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scrape together

Specifically refers to gathering something with difficulty, often money or resources.

barely pass

Indicates achieving a minimum level of success, often with difficulty.

scrape by

Highlights the difficulty in maintaining a basic standard of living.

scratch

Emphasizes a light or superficial abrasion, often less severe than "scrape".

graze

Suggests a superficial wound caused by rubbing against a surface.

abrade

Implies wearing away or rubbing off a surface, often through friction.

collect laboriously

Focuses on the effort required to gather something, often with difficulty.

eke out

Highlights the act of making something last or managing to survive on limited resources.

extract

Focuses on the act of removing something, often with force or effort.

gather

A broader term for collecting or accumulating something.

FAQs

How can I use "scrape" in a sentence?

You can use "scrape" to describe physical actions, like "I "scraped the mud" off my boots", or to describe barely achieving something, such as "He "scraped through" the exam".

What is the difference between "scrape" and "scratch"?

"Scrape" typically implies a broader, more forceful action, while "scratch" suggests a lighter, more superficial mark or injury. For example, you might "scrape" your knee falling on pavement but "scratch" it on a bush.

When is it appropriate to use "scrape together"?

"Scrape together" is appropriate when describing the act of gathering something, especially money or resources, with considerable effort and difficulty. For example, "We had to "scrape together enough money" for the trip".

What are some synonyms for "scrape" when referring to data extraction?

When referring to data extraction, alternatives for "scrape" include "extract", "harvest", or "mine", which often carry a more technical or formal connotation.