scrape the barrel

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Related to Scraping the Barrel: scraping the bottom of the barrel

scrape the barrel

To use or select from the last or worst of the resources or options from a particular range or set, even if they are not satisfactory, because there are no others to choose from. We used to get hundreds of qualified candidates, but lately I feel like we've been scraping the barrel with the applicants we bring in. A: "These were the best you could get?" B: "Sorry, the selection was already picked through, so I really had to scrape the barrel even to find those."
See also: barrel, scrape

scrape the barrel (or the bottom of the barrel)

be reduced to using things or people of the poorest quality because there is nothing else available. informal
See also: barrel, scrape

scrape (the bottom of) the ˈbarrel

(disapproving) use things or people of a low quality because all the good ones have already been used: TV is terrible at the moment, it’s nothing but old movies. They’re really scraping the barrel, aren’t they?
See also: barrel, scrape
References in periodicals archive ?
* Peter Hain says the Tories are scraping the barrel with their candidates PICTURE: Peter Bolter [umlaut]
Hain unveils 'a list of shame' of Tory election candidates; SOME OF THE CONTENDERS ARE 'PRETTY VILE', HE SAYS
The whole article was scraping the barrel for sensationalism.
ViewpointsPerks story was not a big deal!
Chris Evans really has been scraping the barrel in his attempt to re-ignite his TV career.
Weekend TV
As I may on occasion have pointed out, they've spent most of this year scraping the barrel - but they still decided to roll it out.
Ian Hyland: WALFORD WONDERS
Kevin Lisbie, Shaun Bartlett, Richard Rufus and Gary Rowett are all sidelined and gaffer Alan Curbishley is really scraping the barrel at present.
The Saturday Column: Valley victory is black and white
I feel he is now scraping the barrel for any sleaze he can find, despite Councillor Allah Dita, leader of the Justice Party, saying Councillor Lines has always treated him and his party with the utmost respect.
Scraping the political barrel
Comment of PS20 the Day THE BBC are really scraping the barrel if they're having to milk old shows like Jonathan Creek again.
Comment of the Day
In some categories you felt they were scraping the barrel with nominees such as Neil Diamond and Seasick Steve.
MY TELLY
WITH smacks of scraping the barrel, this is the fourth single from Kate Nash's Made Of Bricks album.
Reviews: Singles
And looking at the gang they've gathered here, the Beeb really has been scraping the barrel.
Ballroom glitz
"We think they were scraping the barrel and found a soft target."
Haunted by tag as one of UK's worst attractions
The turning lock isn't fantastic, but I was really scraping the barrel to find anything else - and didn't.
Action time with a Volvo
With reality shows and bloomer specials such as Paul O'Grady's BBC effort and Camera,Action Accident on C5, programme-makers are scraping the barrel.
TV review: No more jungle japes please . .; I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: Reunion (ITV1)
"Arsenal are scraping the barrel, but they are a big loser in our book, otherwise United would be clear favourites," explained John Bayliss.
Football: Firms believe Arsenal have blown their title chance
It's scraping the barrel and I don't care if it is for charity, it doesn't make civilised proper or appropriate viewing.
Clare McKeon's column: OH BROTHER..WHAT RUBBISH
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