scratch

Everyday

1. To scratch is to rub your skin with your nails, usually because it itches. tree →
2. To scratch is to make a mark or cut on a surface with something sharp or rough. tree →
3. A scratch is a thin mark or small cut. tree →
4. «From scratch» means from the very beginning, with nothing ready-made. tree →
5. To scratch out means to cross out or rub out writing so that it can no longer be read. tree →

In the lessons

In health, try not to scratch insect bites or chickenpox spots — scratching can make them worse and let germs in; wash a scratch and cover it. In pet safety, cats may scratch if handled roughly, so stroke gently and wash cat scratches. In cooking and making, «from scratch» means from basic ingredients. Phrases: «scratch your head» (be puzzled), «not up to scratch» (not good enough), «scratch the surface».

Examples

• Don't scratch your mosquito bite. tree →
• The cat scratched my arm. tree →
• There's a scratch on the car door. tree →
• Clean the scratch and put on a plaster. tree →
• We made the cake from scratch. tree →
• He scratched his head, puzzled. tree →
• My homework wasn't up to scratch. tree →
• Don't scratch the table with your fork. tree →
• "You must be scratched out, then," said Ole-Luk-Oie. tree →

Note

Plural: scratches; third person: scratches (-es after «ch»). Do not confuse «scratch» (sharp, light marks) with «scrape» (rubbing off skin over a wider area).