Definition of scrape by

scrape byphrasal verb

cạo bằng

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The phrase "scrape by" is a colloquial expression that originated in the late 19th century in English. It refers to the act of just managing to succeed or survive in a situation where the outcome is uncertain or difficult. The term "scrape" can be traced back to the Middle English term "scrapen," which meant "to scratch, scrape or rub." During the 19th century, "scrape by" was used primarily in the context of agriculture, referring to crops that barely managed to ripen due to harsh weather or other unfavorable conditions. Over time, the expression became more commonly used in a broader context, denoting financial or personal hardships. By the early 20th century, it had become a frequently used idiom, meaning to barely achieve a desired outcome or to just avoid failure. In modern usage, "scrape by" is often described as a pejorative expression as it implies that success is barely achieved and that any failure would have been more comfortable. Still, it remains an idiomatic term in everyday speech, particularly in British English, where it is often shortened to "scrape," slang meaning to get away with something by the skin of one's teeth.

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Example:
  • The car's undercarriage was covered in scrapes from driving over rough terrain.

    Gầm xe đầy vết xước do lái xe qua địa hình gồ ghề.

  • After the storm, tree branches scraped against the sides of the house as the winds died down.

    Sau cơn bão, cành cây cọ vào tường nhà khi gió lặng dần.

  • The paint on the walls was scraped off in several places from ongoing renovations.

    Lớp sơn trên tường bị bong tróc ở nhiều chỗ do quá trình cải tạo đang diễn ra.

  • The hiking boots of the climber were scraped and scuffed from tackling the rocky terrain.

    Đôi giày đi bộ đường dài của người leo núi bị trầy xước và mài mòn vì phải đi trên địa hình nhiều đá.

  • The skateboarder dragged his board along the pavement, leaving visible scrapes in its path.

    Người trượt ván kéo ván trượt của mình dọc theo vỉa hè, để lại những vết xước rõ ràng trên đường đi.

  • The cat's claws scraped against the wooden table leg as she rubbed against it.

    Móng vuốt của con mèo cào vào chân bàn gỗ khi nó cọ vào đó.

  • The shovel scratched and scraped against the dirt as the gardener dug a new planting bed.

    Chiếc xẻng cào và cào xuống đất khi người làm vườn đào một luống trồng cây mới.

  • The snowplow scraped against the edge of the curb as it deposited snow into the nearby truck.

    Chiếc xe cày tuyết cọ vào mép lề đường khi đổ tuyết vào chiếc xe tải gần đó.

  • The brush strokes on the painting left visible scrapes as the artist blended colors on the canvas.

    Các nét cọ trên bức tranh để lại những vết xước có thể nhìn thấy được khi họa sĩ pha trộn màu sắc trên vải.

  • The chef's knife scraped against the cutting board as he chopped vegetables for dinner.

    Con dao của đầu bếp cọ vào thớt khi anh ấy thái rau để làm bữa tối.