# cuts and scratches

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cuts-and-scratches
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

matches

## Examples

- I only have a few cuts and scratches from the garden.
- After the children played in the woods all afternoon, they returned home with nothing more than a few minor cuts and scratches.
- Despite the intensity of the mountain climb, the experienced hiker emerged with only superficial cuts and scratches on his hands.

## Origin

Many imported safety matches were of poor quality and often failed to ignite when scratched against the side of the box.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.