Phrasal verb
scrape along
Definition
phrasal verb. to manage to live or survive when you have very little money.
phrasal verb. to manage to survive or subsist with difficulty, typically due to a lack of financial resources. The verb is intransitive and often implies a precarious financial state.
Examples
“They scrape along on very little money each month.”
“After losing his job, he had to scrape along by doing odd jobs for neighbors.”
“Despite the economic downturn, the small bookstore managed to scrape along, though its profit margins remained razor-thin.”
Examples
simple
“They scrape along on very little money each month.”
contextual
“After losing his job, he had to scrape along by doing odd jobs for neighbors.”
complex
“Despite the economic downturn, the small bookstore managed to scrape along, though its profit margins remained razor-thin.”
Usage
usually followed by 'on' to indicate the source of income or resources.
Teaching tip
compare with 'get by', which is more common; 'scrape along' suggests a more difficult or minimal level of survival.
Pitfall
They scrape along the small pension.
They scrape along on the small pension.
the preposition 'on' is required to connect the action to the source of income.
Phrasal verb
Particles
along
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
scrape + along
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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