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on the scrap heap

Among other unwanted or unused things. Typically used after the verbs "throw" or "toss." It was disheartening to have something that took up so much of my time and energy end up on the scrap heap, but that's just the nature of the industry. It felt like I'd been thrown on the scrap heap after Janice left me.
See also: heap, on, scrap

table scrap

A piece of food left over from a meal. Don't give the dog another table scrap, I don't want him to get sick. We spend all day cooking their food, and all we get to eat are their table scraps.
See also: scrap, table

throw (someone or something) on the scrap heap

To completely discard someone or something that is unwanted, especially in an unceremonious way. The phrase implies that the thing being discarded is being treated as worthless, completely irredeemable, or not worth fixing. The entire design is in danger of getting thrown on the scrap heap if we can't solve the overheating issue. Fred's worked here for 30 years and they just throw him on the scrap heap like that? That ain't right.
See also: heap, on, scrap, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

on the ˈscrap heap

(informal) no longer wanted or considered useful: With the closure of the factory, thousands of workers have been thrown on the scrap heap.
See also: heap, on, scrap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
This is a very expensive polymer and many who generate any significant quantity have their scrap custom reclaimed for reuse in their own compounds.
Through the years the reclaiming industry has been very innovative in adapting or developing processes to reclaim the various types of scrap rubber that were available.
Many different reclaiming processes have been used through the years, depending on scrap characteristics and economics.
Reclaim rubber usage and trends
Licensed users confirm superior casting quality over conventional practices and a reduction of undesirable trace elements when steel scrap is melted in this manner.
A new technique for producing as-cast ductile iron
Several large scrap companies, including OmniSource Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind.: Gatamba Metals Group.
Ralph Pinkert, senior vice president of MSA ScrapSite, says activity on the site has grown quietly and steadily "it has proven to be an efficient, effective tool for companies to market their scrap at or above the market [pricing] at any given time," he comments
The price is wrong: that's the complaint often heard regarding published scrap prices. Is the new RMDAS methodology an improvement?
The exhibit hall will feature more than 150 exhibitors offering the latest products, services and equipment for the scrap recycling industry.
With scrap markets enjoying the higher end of their historical trading range, the 2004 ISRI Convention is likely to draw a healthy crowd of scrap dealers, processors, brokers and consumers to Las Vegas to take part in the year's most anticipated gathering of the scrap recycling industry.
Double down: both ISRI and the NADC prepare for annual conventions in Las Vegas
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