Language Research

scratch · verb

/skrætʃ/Full view

scratch (RUB SKIN)

B2 I or T to rub your skin with your nails, often because you have an itch

Dictionary examples:

My skin was so itchy, I was scratching all night.

Don’t scratch your mosquito bites!

Hannah scratched her head thoughtfully.

scratch (HURT/DAMAGE)

B2 T to make a slight cut or long, thin mark with a sharp object on a surface or on your skin

Dictionary examples:

I scratched myself on the roses.

We scratched the frame of the door trying to get the bed into Martha's room.

People have been scratching their names on this rock for years.

Learner example:

How can this ridiculous man accuse me of scratching his new car, thought Laura. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

scratch (RUB SURFACE)

B2 I to rub a hard surface with a sharp object, often making a noise

Dictionary example:

The dog's scratching at the door - he wants to be let in.

Learner example:

Something scratched at the door. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

scratch · noun C

/skrætʃ/

scratch

B2 a slight cut or a long, thin mark made with a sharp object

Dictionary example:

I've got all these scratches on my arm from the cat.

Learner example:

No wonder the BMW-owner accused me of having caused the scratch after seeing my picture on the car next to his!! (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

from scratch

C1 If you do something from scratch, you do it from the beginning.

Dictionary example:

We didn't have any furniture of our own so we had to start from scratch.

Learner example:

That means you don't have to start from scratch with your teacher. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

not be/come up to scratch

C2 to not be good enough

Dictionary examples:

She told me my work wasn't up to scratch.

The school system has a policy in place for dealing with employees who aren't up to scratch.

Learner example:

The size of the rooms and their state as well were not really up to scratch. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Yapese)