Scrape up
verb
To collect or gather small amounts.
She managed to scrape up enough money to buy a new car.

Often appears as...
- scrape up money
- scrape up courage
verb
To barely pass or succeed.
He scraped up a passing grade in his course.

Often appears as...
- scrape up a grade
- scrape up a pass
verb
To remove or eliminate something.
She scraped up the leftovers from the dinner table.

Often appears as...
- scrape up leftovers
- scrape up residue
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To collect or gather small amounts.
She managed to scrape up enough money to buy a new car.

Often appears as...
- scrape up money
- scrape up courage
verb
To barely pass or succeed.
He scraped up a passing grade in his course.

Often appears as...
- scrape up a grade
- scrape up a pass
verb
To remove or eliminate something.
She scraped up the leftovers from the dinner table.

Often appears as...
- scrape up leftovers
- scrape up residue
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3

Effort Implied
Suggests effort taken to gather small amounts, often with difficulty or from different sources.

After searching all compartments, he managed to scrape up enough change for the bus fare.
Possible Reluctance
May imply reluctance or hesitation before gathering what's needed.

I had to scrape up the courage to speak in front of the entire class.
Last Resort
Used when options are limited and one must find whatever is available.

In the empty kitchen, we scraped up a meal from whatever we could find.
Effort Implied
Suggests effort taken to gather small amounts, often with difficulty or from different sources.

After searching all compartments, he managed to scrape up enough change for the bus fare.
Possible Reluctance
May imply reluctance or hesitation before gathering what's needed.

I had to scrape up the courage to speak in front of the entire class.
Last Resort
Used when options are limited and one must find whatever is available.

In the empty kitchen, we scraped up a meal from whatever we could find.
Effort Implied
Suggests effort taken to gather small amounts, often with difficulty or from different sources.

After searching all compartments, he managed to scrape up enough change for the bus fare.
Possible Reluctance
May imply reluctance or hesitation before gathering what's needed.

I had to scrape up the courage to speak in front of the entire class.
Last Resort
Used when options are limited and one must find whatever is available.

In the empty kitchen, we scraped up a meal from whatever we could find.
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension