scratch out
The phrase 'scratch out' can mean to remove, delete, or manage with difficulty, depending on the context.
Definition
B2General
To remove something by scraping or rubbing.
Example
- She tried to scratch out the stain on the table.
- He scratched out the old paint from the wall.
B1Writing
To delete something written by drawing a line through it.
Example
- She scratched out the wrong answer and wrote the correct one.
- He scratched out the old address and updated it with the new one.
C1Survival
(informal)To manage to survive or earn a living with difficulty.
Example
- They managed to scratch out a living by farming.
- Despite the hardships, he scratched out an existence in the city.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "scratch out":
scratch racecross outscratch sheetscrub outchicken scratchscratch an itchsketch outcome to the scratchrub outchalk outeke outbrush outscratch one's own itchcave outpencil outscrape upcross offstrike outchisel outclaw offbash outcarve outwrite outstrike a strokecrack outrig outthresh outslop outscript outdig outrake outpaint outdraw onstrike offcut outchalk offmark outrub offsqueeze outnut outsweep outrough outground outsound outslug outbeat outdraw outdraw intorip outdash offrubbing offbuff outscore offbow and scrapegrub outchop outedge out