scratch
scratch — verb
1. to produce a narrow mark on a surface or on your body by running a pointed or ja
to produce a narrow mark on a surface or on your body by running a pointed or jagged item over it
Ravindra scratched the top of his new desk when he moved it across the room.
transitive: scratch + surface damaged
A sharp branch scratched Salma's arm as she ran through the forest.
accidental damage with natural object
The cat's claws scratched the leather sofa, leaving thin white lines.
Be careful not to scratch the paint when you take the picture off the wall.
Yuna's new glasses got scratched after she dropped them on the stone path.
文法句型
scratch + noun (surface/skin)
scratch + noun + on/against + noun
noun + scratches + adverb (easily)
用法筆記
Often used to describe accidental damage to surfaces such as paintwork, wood, glass, or skin. The object is typically the thing that receives the mark, not the thing that causes it.
常見錯誤
2. to add a design, writing, or similar result onto a surface, or to remove unwante
to add a design, writing, or similar result onto a surface, or to remove unwanted material from it, by using a sharp or rough tool
Someone scratched their initials into the old wooden bench at the park.
adding: scratch + noun + into + surface
Erik scratched a rough map of the campsite onto the ground with a stick.
Niran tried to scratch the dried glue off the glass jar with a knife.
The children scratched patterns in the wet cement before it hardened.
- carve
deeper and more deliberate cutting into wood or stone
- etch
using acid or a sharp tool to create a permanent design
- scrape off
specifically removing material, not adding it
- scribble
writing quickly and carelessly, without scratching
文法句型
scratch + noun (mark/design) + on/onto + surface
scratch + noun (unwanted material) + off + surface
用法筆記
This sense covers two opposite actions — adding marks (like carving initials) and removing marks (like scraping off dried paint). Context tells you which direction the action goes.
常見錯誤
3. to use the claws to rub against a surface, as a cat, dog, or other animal does
to use the claws to rub against a surface, as a cat, dog, or other animal does
The dog scratched at the back door every morning until someone let her in.
intransitive: scratch + at + surface
A squirrel scratched noisily at the wooden fence behind the garden shed.
The rabbit scratched the bottom of its cage with its strong back feet.
Mira watched her kitten scratch at the sofa cushion for several minutes.
文法句型
animal + scratches
animal + scratches + at/on + surface
animal + scratches + noun
用法筆記
Subject is almost always an animal. The scratching may be for digging, sharpening claws, making a nest, getting attention, or relieving an itch. Distinguish from sense 4 (RUB ITCH), where the subject is a person using fingernails on their own skin.
4. to use your fingernails to rub a part of your skin, especially when it feels unc
to use your fingernails to rub a part of your skin, especially when it feels uncomfortable or itches
Noa scratched his mosquito bites even though his mother told him not to.
scratch + body area (mosquito bites)
Camila kept scratching her arm because the wool sweater made her skin itch.
The doctor warned that scratching the rash would only make it spread.
Stephanie scratched her head and wondered where she had put her keys.
文法句型
scratch + body part (arm/nose/head)
scratch + an itch
intransitive: stop scratching
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person. When used with 'scratch your head', it can also mean thinking hard about something, which is a separate idiomatic use (see idioms). The literal sense of scratching for an itch is the most basic meaning.
常見錯誤
5. to decide that a person, animal, or team will not take part in a competition aft
to decide that a person, animal, or team will not take part in a competition after they were originally expected to
The champion runner had to scratch from the race after injuring her knee.
intransitive: person + scratches from + event
Aaron scratched his horse from the competition when it became sick.
transitive: owner + scratches + animal
The tennis player was scratched from the tournament because of a family emergency.
Two teams scratched before the match, so the schedule had to be changed.
文法句型
scratch + noun (runner/horse/team) + from + competition
noun + scratches
be scratched from + competition
用法筆記
Common in sports journalism and racing contexts. The passive form ('be scratched from') is frequently used when officials remove a competitor for medical or disciplinary reasons.
常見錯誤
6. to decide that a planned event or activity will not happen, especially when it h
to decide that a planned event or activity will not happen, especially when it has already been arranged
Naoko and her flatmates had planned a picnic, but the heavy rain forced them to scratch it.
informal: scratch + it (referring to plan)
Kofi scratched his weekend hiking trip after checking the weather forecast.
The concert was scratched at the last minute because the singer lost her voice.
Salma decided to scratch the dinner party and just order takeout instead.
- keep
to go ahead with the plan
- go ahead with
to proceed as planned
文法句型
scratch + noun (plan/event/trip)
scratch + noun + from + schedule
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (WITHDRAW FROM RACE), which is specific to sports competitions. This sense applies to any kind of plan or event — parties, trips, appointments. More informal than 'cancel' and most common in everyday conversation.
7. used to say that you want to take back a statement you have just made, usually i
used to say that you want to take back a statement you have just made, usually in order to replace it with a better or more accurate one
Eitan's the laziest person I know — no, scratch that, he's just very relaxed.
pattern: no, scratch that — [correction]
I thought I saw a bear, but scratch that — it was just a large dog.
We need three hundred chairs — actually, scratch that, make it four hundred.
The meeting is on Tuesday — sorry, scratch that, the email says Wednesday.
- forget that
similar meaning but less common in this specific retraction context
- never mind
more general way to withdraw a statement or request
文法句型
scratch that (as an interjection)
no, scratch that — [replacement]
用法筆記
Always used with the object 'that' — 'scratch that' is a fixed, idiomatic expression. It is not a regular transitive verb in this sense (you cannot say 'I scratch my earlier comment'). Typically appears in informal speech or writing, often in conversations, emails, or notes.
常見錯誤
scratch — noun
1. a thin line or mark left on a surface or on your skin when something sharp or ro
a thin line or mark left on a surface or on your skin when something sharp or rough rubs across it
There was a deep scratch on the surface of the new wooden table.
article + adjective + scratch + on
The car door had a long scratch where someone had scraped against a wall.
Ravindra noticed a small scratch on his phone screen a week after buying it.
The old vinyl record had so many scratches that the music sounded terrible.
文法句型
a scratch + on + surface
a deep/long/small scratch
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions like 'on' (on a table, on glass) or 'in' (in the wood, in the paint). The adjective usually describes depth ('deep', 'shallow', 'superficial') or size ('small', 'long', 'tiny').
常見錯誤
2. the action of rubbing a part of your body or a surface with your fingernails or
the action of rubbing a part of your body or a surface with your fingernails or an animal's claws
The dog gave herself a good scratch behind the ear with her back paw.
pattern: give + [animal] + a scratch
Yuna's constant scratching had made her mosquito bites even worse.
One scratch from the cat's claws and you will need a bandage.
Nellie gave her scalp a quick scratch and then continued reading her book.
文法句型
give + noun + a scratch
have a scratch
a scratch with claws/nails
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (MARK ON SURFACE), which refers to the visible result. This sense refers to the action itself. The pattern 'give something a scratch' is very common and informal.
3. a competitor who was expected to take part in a race or contest but withdraws be
a competitor who was expected to take part in a race or contest but withdraws before it begins
There were eight horses in the race, but two scratches reduced the field to six.
sports context: countable plural
After the scratch of the top seed, the tournament became much more open.
The list of scratches was posted on the notice board outside the race office.
The defending champion was a late scratch, so a replacement fighter stepped in.
- withdrawal
the general noun for the act of pulling out, not the person
- no-show
someone who fails to appear, regardless of when they decide
- entrant
someone who has officially signed up for a competition
- contestant
someone who actually takes part
文法句型
a scratch
list of scratches
number of scratches
用法筆記
Most common in horse racing and athletics. A 'scratch' is a competitor who was entered but is removed before the start. The related verb sense (WITHDRAW FROM RACE) is more common in everyday use.
scratch — adjective
1. formed or organized quickly with people who happen to be available at the time,
formed or organized quickly with people who happen to be available at the time, usually for a sports game or event
The school fielded a scratch team of volunteers for the charity football match.
attributive: scratch + team
A scratch band of local musicians played at the opening of the new library.
Since several players were sick, the coach formed a scratch squad for the game.
The party had a scratch orchestra made up of anyone who could play an instrument.
文法句型
scratch + team/crew/band/orchestra/squad
用法筆記
This is an attributive-only adjective — it cannot be used after a linking verb ('the team is scratch' is incorrect). Almost always used in British English sports contexts, though it occasionally appears in other fields such as music or theatre.