Scramble Meaning
Scramble Definition & Usage
To move or climb quickly and often with difficulty, usually in a disorganized or hurried manner.
Examples
- "She scrambled up the rocky hill, her hands scraping against the rough surface."
- "The children scrambled for the last piece of candy after the pinata broke open."
- "He scrambled to finish his work before the deadline passed."
- "The protesters scrambled over barricades as the police closed in."
- "In the final seconds of the game, the quarterback scrambled to avoid the sack."
To cook (eggs) by stirring them in a hot pan, usually with a small amount of fat, until they become firm but remain soft.
Examples
- "I scrambled some eggs for breakfast with a bit of cheese."
- "She likes to scramble eggs with tomatoes and spinach."
- "They scrambled the eggs for the omelet while the toast browned."
- "For a quick meal, I often scramble eggs with leftover vegetables."
- "He scrambled the eggs until they were fluffy and golden."
A situation or activity that involves hurried, chaotic, or disorganized movement or action.
Examples
- "The scramble to secure tickets for the concert was intense."
- "There was a scramble for the last few seats at the theater."
- "She entered the office, only to find a scramble for the best assignments."
- "The final moments of the game were a scramble to score a last-minute goal."
- "The workers made a scramble to finish the project before the end of the week."
Cultural Context
The word 'scramble' comes from the Middle English term 'scrambler', meaning 'to mix or scramble'. It often evokes the image of chaotic or rushed movement, making it widely used in various contexts. Its meaning in cooking dates back to the 18th century, referring to the method of preparing eggs. The word is commonly used in sports, especially in football, to describe a player evading defenders in a hurried, uncoordinated way.
The Scramble for the Last Bus
Story
The Scramble for the Last Bus
It was a brisk autumn evening, and the sun was dipping low behind the skyline of the city. The streets were bustling with the usual rush hour madness. People walked quickly, their faces pulled tight with exhaustion, each trying to get home after a long day's work. But for a few, the scramble had only just begun. At the bus stop, dozens of commuters had gathered, eyes trained on the approaching bus, which seemed to take its sweet time. As the bus neared, people began to jostle, their feet scrambling to find the fastest route to the door. Among them was Clara, who had just missed the last bus yesterday, and didn’t want to risk the same fate today. With only a few steps left before the bus arrived, Clara pushed through the crowd, her heart racing as she scrambled to get closer. She wasn't the only one in this frantic race. A few feet behind, James, a young man wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, was also scrambling—except, for him, the last seat was the prize. He’d had a long, grueling day at the office, and the thought of standing for another hour didn’t appeal to him. Just as the doors slid open, Clara managed to squeeze through and onto the bus. James, however, was not so lucky. The scramble was over for him, and he could only watch in frustration as the bus closed its doors and drove off. 'Next time,' he muttered, 'I'll get here earlier.' As Clara found her seat, she couldn’t help but laugh softly to herself. It had been a scramble, but at least she’d won this one. In the kitchen, Clara's evening didn't slow down. She scrambled some eggs with a few leftover vegetables for dinner. While stirring the eggs, she thought about the scramble earlier. It was always a challenge to win in these little daily races. But just as with cooking, with the right amount of heat and timing, she knew she'd always come out on top.
