Scruff
noun
The back of the neck.
She picked up the kitten by the scruff of its neck.
Often appears as...
- scruff of the neck
- grab by the scruff
noun
A disheveled, untidy, or slightly dirty person.
He was a bit of a scruff, in his ripped jeans and dirty t-shirt.
Often appears as...
- bit of a scruff
- look like a scruff
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The back of the neck.
She picked up the kitten by the scruff of its neck.
Often appears as...
- scruff of the neck
- grab by the scruff
noun
A disheveled, untidy, or slightly dirty person.
He was a bit of a scruff, in his ripped jeans and dirty t-shirt.
Often appears as...
- bit of a scruff
- look like a scruff
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Handling
Often used when referring to grabbing animals to control or hold them, especially small ones.
The vet held the puppy by the scruff to examine it.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Can indicate strong or rough guidance of someone, not just animals.
The officer took the thief by the scruff and marched him out.
Pro Tip 3/3Parental Behavior
Sometimes used to describe a parent firmly guiding a child in a protective manner.
She grabbed her son by the scruff and pulled him away from the road.
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Handling
Often used when referring to grabbing animals to control or hold them, especially small ones.
The vet held the puppy by the scruff to examine it.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Can indicate strong or rough guidance of someone, not just animals.
The officer took the thief by the scruff and marched him out.
Pro Tip 3/3Parental Behavior
Sometimes used to describe a parent firmly guiding a child in a protective manner.
She grabbed her son by the scruff and pulled him away from the road.
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Handling
Often used when referring to grabbing animals to control or hold them, especially small ones.
The vet held the puppy by the scruff to examine it.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Can indicate strong or rough guidance of someone, not just animals.
The officer took the thief by the scruff and marched him out.
Pro Tip 3/3Parental Behavior
Sometimes used to describe a parent firmly guiding a child in a protective manner.
She grabbed her son by the scruff and pulled him away from the road.
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Video examples
DJ Spooky Mixes Media to...
facing us when I think the arts have a very important role to play in that you can make it beautiful you can make it interesting you can make it immersive the artists role is not to say hey this is interesting but to grab you by the scruff of the neck and say you can't
Video examples
An inside look at...
yelling and screaming telling everyone to get out he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck he says what have you done you've shamed the family you have dishonored and defiled the home people pray here he said you're bringing these
Video examples
Best Lion Moments: Part...
fangs the Lions are lucky one drop in the eye would blind them for life with the spitting cobra at large the Cubs are at risk holding them by the scruff of the neck stops
Video examples
The Dangers of Being a...
With the spitting cobra at large the cubs are at risk. Holding them by the scruff of the neck stops them struggling as they're carried to safety.
Video examples
Most Soothing Sir David...
The tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck. It's a delicate operation, a little too much pressure, and she'll hurt her cub.
Video examples
Practice Makes Perfect PIPE...
to be careful in case she turns he uses the same scruff hold as a mother carrying cups this time he was lucky
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
the tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate operation a little too
Video examples
Taming a Violent Animal...
alligator in head you know all right scruff shouting okay he's looking for
Video examples
5 Amazing Animal...
the Tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate
Video examples
Mother Tiger Learns to...
the Tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate
Video examples
DJ Spooky Mixes Media to...
facing us when I think the arts have a very important role to play in that you can make it beautiful you can make it interesting you can make it immersive the artists role is not to say hey this is interesting but to grab you by the scruff of the neck and say you can't
Video examples
An inside look at...
yelling and screaming telling everyone to get out he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck he says what have you done you've shamed the family you have dishonored and defiled the home people pray here he said you're bringing these
Video examples
Best Lion Moments: Part...
fangs the Lions are lucky one drop in the eye would blind them for life with the spitting cobra at large the Cubs are at risk holding them by the scruff of the neck stops
Video examples
The Dangers of Being a...
With the spitting cobra at large the cubs are at risk. Holding them by the scruff of the neck stops them struggling as they're carried to safety.
Video examples
Most Soothing Sir David...
The tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck. It's a delicate operation, a little too much pressure, and she'll hurt her cub.
Video examples
Practice Makes Perfect PIPE...
to be careful in case she turns he uses the same scruff hold as a mother carrying cups this time he was lucky
Video examples
Adorable Tiger Cub...
the tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate operation a little too
Video examples
Taming a Violent Animal...
alligator in head you know all right scruff shouting okay he's looking for
Video examples
5 Amazing Animal...
the Tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate
Video examples
Mother Tiger Learns to...
the Tigers must pick them up by the scruff of the neck it's a delicate
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Brooklyn Decker
American Model
A little scruff looks nice, but it feels so uncomfortable. Think about how a guy wants a girl to have smooth legs: It's expected. Shouldn't a guy be expected to do the same on his face? I think that's only fair.
Quote examples
Rhys Darby
New Zealander Comedian
Commercialism in the Western world has got us by the scruff of the neck. It's a technological takeover, and we can't even see it happening because we're too busy enjoying it.
Quote examples
Mikaela Hoover
American Actress
I guess that, as a girl from Washington state, I am attracted to a little scruff and men who are able to roll out of bed, throw on a baseball cap, and call it a day.
Quote examples
Gilbert O'Sullivan
Irish Musician
I always tell people that I went through long hair. I was a typical art school scruff. It was good then.
Quote examples
Sue Perkins
English Comedian
Let's face it: I'm not a looker. I'm a scruff. But I have embraced my scruffiness. We're happy together.
Quote examples
Martin Freeman
English Actor
Most actors are either a shower of bloody scruffs or think they should dress like Hamlet off stage.
Quote examples
Aaron Ramsey
Welsh Athlete
I need to be playing well, be involved in the game, and taking matches by the scruff of the neck.
Quote examples
Matt Doherty
You have to try and take games by the scruff of the neck... you can't mollycoddle everyone.
Quote examples
Jenny Ryan
English Celebrity
It isn't too bad for me as when I don't have a beehive, I can go incognito in my scruffs.
Quote examples
James Charles
American Model
I do love a good dark guy. Maybe a beard - some sister scruff?
Quote examples
Brooklyn Decker
American Model
A little scruff looks nice, but it feels so uncomfortable. Think about how a guy wants a girl to have smooth legs: It's expected. Shouldn't a guy be expected to do the same on his face? I think that's only fair.
Quote examples
Rhys Darby
New Zealander Comedian
Commercialism in the Western world has got us by the scruff of the neck. It's a technological takeover, and we can't even see it happening because we're too busy enjoying it.
Quote examples
Mikaela Hoover
American Actress
I guess that, as a girl from Washington state, I am attracted to a little scruff and men who are able to roll out of bed, throw on a baseball cap, and call it a day.
Quote examples
Gilbert O'Sullivan
Irish Musician
I always tell people that I went through long hair. I was a typical art school scruff. It was good then.
Quote examples
Sue Perkins
English Comedian
Let's face it: I'm not a looker. I'm a scruff. But I have embraced my scruffiness. We're happy together.
Quote examples
Martin Freeman
English Actor
Most actors are either a shower of bloody scruffs or think they should dress like Hamlet off stage.
Quote examples
Aaron Ramsey
Welsh Athlete
I need to be playing well, be involved in the game, and taking matches by the scruff of the neck.
Quote examples
Matt Doherty
You have to try and take games by the scruff of the neck... you can't mollycoddle everyone.
Quote examples
Jenny Ryan
English Celebrity
It isn't too bad for me as when I don't have a beehive, I can go incognito in my scruffs.
Quote examples
James Charles
American Model
I do love a good dark guy. Maybe a beard - some sister scruff?
Example 1 of 10
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