scrape

To rub hard against a surface, leaving a mark or hurting it.

• I scraped my knee.
• The table scraped the floor when we moved it.
• Try not to scrape the paint with your bag.

How to use it: scrape against something (The chair scraped against the wall.)

Similar words: graze, scratch

Common phrases: scrape your knee, scrape the floor, scrape against something

To remove something from a surface using the edge of a tool.

• Scrape the ice off the window.
• She scraped the last bit of butter from the dish.
• Have you scraped away the old paint?

How to use it: scrape something off something (I scraped the mud off my boots.)

Similar words: scrape off

Common phrases: scrape off paint, scrape something away, scrape the ice

To move a hard or sharp object along a surface while pressing against it.

• Scrape the surface with a knife.
• He scraped his nails along the door.
• The mechanic scraped a metal tool across the panel.

How to use it: scrape something across something (He scraped a blade across the wood.); scrape something with something (She scraped the plate with a fork.)

Similar words: rub

Common phrases: scrape a surface, scrape something across, scrape with something

To collect enough money or other things with difficulty.

• We scraped together ten pounds.
• Can you scrape up enough cash for lunch?
• She had to scrape to find the money for rent.

How to use it: scrape together something (We scraped together enough money for the tickets.)

Similar words: scrape together

Common phrases: scrape together money, scrape something together, scrape up cash

To make a surface smooth by rubbing it with a hard or sharp tool.

• Scrape the edges until they feel smooth.
• He scraped the board with a sharp blade.
• We scraped the rough stone to give it a flat surface.

How to use it: scrape something smooth (She scraped the wood smooth before painting it.)

Common phrases: scrape something smooth, scrape the edges

A small injury where skin has been rubbed away against a rough surface.

• She has a scrape on her knee.
• Clean the scrape with water.
• He came home with several cuts and scrapes.

Similar words: graze, abrasion

Common phrases: a nasty scrape, scrape on something, cuts and scrapes, a small scrape

A rough sound made when something rubs hard against a surface.

• I heard a scrape outside.
• The scrape of a chair interrupted her speech.
• There were several loud scrapes as they dragged the box upstairs.

Similar words: scraping sound

Common phrases: a loud scrape, scrape of metal, hear a scrape

A difficult or embarrassing situation, often caused by something you have done.

• I'm in a scrape.
• Her brother helped her out of a tricky scrape.
• He always manages to get into scrapes at school.

How to use it: get into a scrape (He got into a scrape by borrowing money he could not repay.)

Similar words: fix, predicament, mess

Common phrases: in a scrape, out of a scrape, a tricky scrape