Scratch Meaning
Scratch Definition & Usage
To make a mark or scrape on a surface with a sharp object or part of the body, often producing a sound.
Examples
- "He scratched the surface of the table with a coin."
- "She scratched her arm absentmindedly during the meeting."
- "The cat scratched at the door to be let in."
- "I accidentally scratched my phone screen while putting it in my bag."
- "The chalkboard screeched as I scratched it with a nail."
To start from a very basic or initial point, often with little to no resources.
Examples
- "She had to scratch her business idea from scratch after the first prototype failed."
- "They started from scratch to build the company into a successful empire."
- "I had to scratch together enough money to buy the equipment."
- "We're building this project from scratch, so everything is new."
- "After the setback, we had to scratch the original plan and come up with something entirely new."
A small, often shallow injury or mark made on the skin or surface, typically caused by a sharp object.
Examples
- "He had a small scratch on his cheek from the bramble."
- "There was a scratch on the car door from the parking lot."
- "She wiped away the dirt, revealing a deep scratch on her arm."
- "The cat left a few scratches on the furniture."
- "I need to get this scratch on my phone screen fixed."
Cultural Context
The word 'scratch' has a long history in both its literal and figurative uses, dating back to Old French and Latin. The association with a quick, rough action can be found in expressions that imply improvisation or initial efforts (such as 'starting from scratch'). Over time, it has taken on a variety of meanings, from simple physical actions to more abstract or metaphorical uses.
The Scratch of a New Beginning
Story
The Scratch of a New Beginning
It had been a long, tiring day for Jamie. She had been working on her startup idea for months, but things just weren’t moving fast enough. She sat down in the dimly lit cafe, her hands shaking slightly as she opened her laptop to review the plans once again. Her fingers scratched the surface of the wooden table, the sound of nails on wood bringing her back to reality. It was like a metaphor for the way she felt about her company. Everything she had worked for so far was only superficial—she was still scratching the surface of success. Suddenly, a message pinged on her screen. A potential investor had shown interest in her idea. This could be the break she needed. But she knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Just as she had started her journey, she now had to begin again. She would need to 'scratch together' everything she could, from funds to resources, to make her dream a reality. Later, when she walked home, her phone slipped from her hand and landed with a hard thud. A small scratch marred the screen, a minor but annoying blemish. Jamie smiled wryly—sometimes, life leaves a scratch or two along the way. But she wasn't going to stop. If anything, it reminded her to keep going, no matter the setbacks, and to never lose sight of her goals. The next morning, Jamie sat at her desk, the scratch on her phone screen still visible but no longer bothering her. It was a sign. She had to start from scratch once more—but this time, she would succeed. Her path, though scratched and imperfect, was still moving forward.
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