26984 words

scrape

9 definitions • 17 examples
1
to remove an unwanted covering or a top layer from something, especially using a sharp edge or something rough:

Examples:

[ + obj + adj ] Scrape your boots clean before you come in.
We'll have to scrape the snow off the car before we go out in it.
Emily scraped away the dead leaves to reveal the tiny shoot of a new plant.
2
to (cause to) rub against a surface so that slight damage or an unpleasant noise is produced:

Examples:

Jackie fell over and scraped her knee (on the pavement).
I was woken up by the noise of branches scraping against my bedroom window.
3
to succeed in getting or achieving something, but with difficulty or by a very small amount:

Examples:

Her grades weren't great, but she scraped into university.
4
to get data from a website, etc., using a special computer program:

Examples:

5
a difficult or slightly dangerous situation that you cause by your own silly behaviour:

Examples:

She's always getting into silly scrapes - I wish she'd think before she does things.
He had a couple of scrapes with the police and ended up in court.
6

Examples:

"It's just a scrape," said the boy looking down at his bleeding knee.
I hate the scrape of chalk on a blackboard.
7
to remove something by rubbing something rough or sharp against it, or to rub part of your body against something rough that tears away or injures your skin:

Examples:

[ T ] Jackie scraped her knee on the wall as she was climbing over it.
[ T ] Sheila scraped the snow off the windshield of her car.
[ I ] The metal gate scraped along the ground when I opened it.
8
a slight injury caused by having your skin rubbed against something rough:

Examples:

She had a few scrapes from the accident in the parking lot, but nothing serious.
9
infml A scrape is also a difficult situation that you are in because of your own actions:

Examples:

Oh, he’s had a few scrapes with the law when he was younger, but he’s straightened his life out now.

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