scram|ble /skræ mb ə l/ (scrambles , scrambling , scrambled )
1 VERB If you scramble over rocks or up a hill, you move quickly over them or up it using your hands to help you. □ [V prep/adv] Tourists were scrambling over the rocks looking for the perfect camera angle.
2 VERB If you scramble to a different place or position, you move there in a hurried, awkward way. □ [V prep/adv] Ann threw back the covers and scrambled out of bed.
3 VERB If a number of people scramble for something, they compete energetically with each other for it. □ [V + for ] More than three million fans are expected to scramble for tickets. □ [V to-inf] Business is booming and foreigners are scrambling to invest. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing, N to-inf] Scramble is also a noun. □ …a scramble to get a seat on the early-morning flight.
4 VERB If you scramble eggs, you break them, mix them together and then heat and stir the mixture in a pan. □ [V n] Make the toast and scramble the eggs. ● scram|bled ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …scrambled eggs on toast.
5 VERB If a device scrambles a radio or telephone message, it interferes with the sound so that the message can only be understood by someone with special equipment. □ [V n] The machine scrambles messages so that the conversations cannot be intercepted.
scram|bler /skræ mblə r / (scramblers ) N‑COUNT A scrambler is an electronic device which alters the sound of a radio or telephone message so that it can only be understood by someone who has special equipment.
scrap /skræ p/ (scraps , scrapping , scrapped )
1 N‑COUNT A scrap of something is a very small piece or amount of it. □ [+ of ] A crumpled scrap of paper was found in her handbag. □ [+ of ] They need every scrap of information they can get.
2 N‑PLURAL Scraps are pieces of unwanted food which are thrown away or given to animals. □ …the scraps from the Sunday dinner table.
3 VERB If you scrap something, you get rid of it or cancel it. [INFORMAL , JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] President Hussein called on all countries in the Middle East to scrap nuclear or chemical weapons.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Scrap metal or paper is no longer wanted for its original purpose, but may have some other use. □ There's always tons of scrap paper in Dad's office.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Scrap is metal from old or damaged machinery or cars. □ Thousands of tanks, artillery pieces and armored vehicles will be cut up for scrap.
scrap|book /skræ pbʊk/ (scrapbooks ) N‑COUNT A scrapbook is a book with empty pages on which you can stick things such as pictures or newspaper articles in order to keep them.
scrape /skre I p/ (scrapes , scraping , scraped )
1 VERB If you scrape something from a surface, you remove it, especially by pulling a sharp object over the surface. □ [V n with adv] She went round the car scraping the frost off the windows.
2 VERB If something scrapes against something else or if someone or something scrapes something else, it rubs against it, making a noise or causing slight damage. □ [V prep] The only sound is that of knives and forks scraping against china. □ [V n] The car hurtled past us, scraping the wall and screeching to a halt. □ [V -ing] There was a scraping sound as she dragged the heels of her shoes along the pavement.
3 VERB If you scrape a part of your body, you accidentally rub it against something hard and rough, and damage it slightly. □ [V n] She stumbled and fell, scraping her palms and knees.
4 to scrape the barrel → see barrel
▸ scrape by PHRASAL VERB If someone scrapes by , they earn just enough money to live on with difficulty. □ [V P ] We're barely scraping by on my salary.
▸ scrape through PHRASAL VERB If you scrape through an examination, you just succeed in passing it. If you scrape through a competition or a vote, you just succeed in winning it. □ [V P n] Both my brothers have university degrees. I just scraped through a couple of A-levels. □ [V P ] If we can get a draw, we might scrape through.
▸ scrape together PHRASAL VERB If you scrape together an amount of money or a number of things, you succeed in obtaining it with difficulty. □ [V n P ] They only just managed to scrape the money together. □ [V P n] It's possible the Congress Party will scrape together a majority.
scrap|er /skre I pə r / (scrapers ) N‑COUNT A scraper is a tool that has a small handle and a metal or plastic blade and can be used for scraping a particular surface clean.
scrap|heap /skræ phiːp/ also scrap heap
1 N‑SING If you say that someone has been thrown on the scrapheap , you mean that they have been forced to leave their job by an uncaring employer and are unlikely to get other work. □ Miners have been thrown on the scrapheap with no prospects.
2 N‑SING If things such as machines or weapons are thrown on the scrapheap , they are thrown away because they are no longer needed. □ Thousands of Europe's tanks and guns are going to the scrap heap.
scrap|ings /skre I p I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL Scrapings are small amounts or pieces that have been scraped off something. □ There might be scrapings under his fingernails.
scrap|py /skræ pi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as scrappy , you disapprove of it because it seems to be badly planned or untidy. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The final chapter is no more than a scrappy addition.
scrap|yard /skræ pjɑː r d/ (scrapyards ) also scrap yard N‑COUNT A scrapyard is a place where old machines such as cars or ships are destroyed and where useful parts are saved. [BRIT ] in AM, use junkyard