scratch
scratch /skr'ætʃ/ (scratches scratching scratched)
1 [VERB] V pron-refl, V n, V
If you scratch yourself, you rub your fingernails against your skin because it is itching.
He scratched himself under his arm...
The old man lifted his cardigan to scratch his side...
I had to wear long sleeves to stop myself scratching.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
If a sharp object scratches someone or something, it makes small shallow cuts on their skin or surface.
The branches tore at my jacket and scratched my hands and face...
Knives will scratch the worktop.
3 [N-COUNT]
Scratches on someone or something are small shallow cuts.
The seven-year-old was found crying with scratches on his face and neck...
4 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something from scratch, you do it without making use of anything that has been done before.
Building a home from scratch can be both exciting and challenging...
5 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone is scratching their head, you mean that they are thinking hard and trying to solve a problem or puzzle.
The Institute spends a lot of time scratching its head about how to boost American productivity.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If you only scratch the surface of a subject or problem, you find out or do a small amount, but not enough to understand or solve it.
Officials say they've only scratched the surface of the drug problem...
We had only two weeks to tour Malaysia, which was hardly enough time to scratch the surface.
7 [PHRASE] PHR after v, v-link PHR, usu with brd-neg
If you say that someone or something is not up to scratch, you mean that they are not good enough.
My mother always made me feel I wasn't coming up to scratch.scratch card (scratch cards)
also scratchcard
[N-COUNT]
A scratch card is a card with hidden words or symbols on it. You scratch the surface off to reveal the words or symbols and find out if you have won a prize.scratch file (scratch files)
[N-COUNT]
A scratch file is a temporary computer file which you use as a work area or as a store while a program is operating. (COMPUTING)scratch pad (scratch pads)
[N-COUNT]
A scratch pad is a temporary storage memory in a computer. (COMPUTING)
1 [VERB] V pron-refl, V n, V
If you scratch yourself, you rub your fingernails against your skin because it is itching.
He scratched himself under his arm...
The old man lifted his cardigan to scratch his side...
I had to wear long sleeves to stop myself scratching.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
If a sharp object scratches someone or something, it makes small shallow cuts on their skin or surface.
The branches tore at my jacket and scratched my hands and face...
Knives will scratch the worktop.
3 [N-COUNT]
Scratches on someone or something are small shallow cuts.
The seven-year-old was found crying with scratches on his face and neck...
4 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you do something from scratch, you do it without making use of anything that has been done before.
Building a home from scratch can be both exciting and challenging...
5 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone is scratching their head, you mean that they are thinking hard and trying to solve a problem or puzzle.
The Institute spends a lot of time scratching its head about how to boost American productivity.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If you only scratch the surface of a subject or problem, you find out or do a small amount, but not enough to understand or solve it.
Officials say they've only scratched the surface of the drug problem...
We had only two weeks to tour Malaysia, which was hardly enough time to scratch the surface.
7 [PHRASE] PHR after v, v-link PHR, usu with brd-neg
If you say that someone or something is not up to scratch, you mean that they are not good enough.
My mother always made me feel I wasn't coming up to scratch.scratch card (scratch cards)
also scratchcard
[N-COUNT]
A scratch card is a card with hidden words or symbols on it. You scratch the surface off to reveal the words or symbols and find out if you have won a prize.scratch file (scratch files)
[N-COUNT]
A scratch file is a temporary computer file which you use as a work area or as a store while a program is operating. (COMPUTING)scratch pad (scratch pads)
[N-COUNT]
A scratch pad is a temporary storage memory in a computer. (COMPUTING)