scuffle

Everyday

1. A scuffle is a short, confused fight with pushing and grabbing, usually not very serious. tree →
2. To scuffle means to fight in this way. tree →
3. To scuffle (along) means to walk dragging your feet, or to make a scraping noise. tree →

In the lessons

Used in news, school incident reports and stories about fights in the playground or at football matches. It tells the reader the fight was short and messy, not a big battle. Phrases: «a scuffle broke out», «a brief scuffle», «be involved in a scuffle», «scuffle with».

Examples

• A scuffle broke out in the lunch queue. tree →
• Two boys scuffled over a football. tree →
• There was a brief scuffle, but no one was hurt. tree →
• Police broke up a scuffle outside the stadium. tree →
• We heard something scuffling in the attic. tree →
• He scuffled along in his slippers. tree →
• The teacher stepped in before the scuffle got worse. tree →
• Then a great scuffling of feet was heard, and in a few minutes the hall was clear. tree →

Note

Countable noun; verb scuffled, scuffling. Close words: scrap, tussle, altercation (formal), brawl (bigger and wilder). Not the same as «shuffle» (walk slowly dragging feet, or mix cards), although they sound alike.