scrape (redirected from scrape back)

bow and scrape

to try too hard to please someone in a position of authority. It's embarrassing to see staff bowing and scraping to the new Prime Minister. (often in continuous tenses)

See also: bow

scrape the barrel (informal)

to use something or someone that you do not want to use because nothing or no one else is available. You know you're really scraping the barrel when you have to ask your old mother to come to the cinema with you. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: barrel

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scrape by

1. to have only enough money to buy the basic things you need to live. Even with both of us working, we earn just enough to scrape by.

2. to come very close to failing. She only scraped by in the last election and no one expects her to win this time.

scrape together something

to gather something that is not easily available, esp. money. He managed to scrape together $20 for the train and came back home. Many immigrants have difficulty scraping enough money together for the application.

Usage notes: also in the form scrape up something: Somehow these families managed to scrape up the tuition fee.

scare up something

See also: together