1 B1 informal
To climb upward quickly and with some difficulty, using hands and feet.
"The children scrambled up the muddy hillside, laughing as they slipped and grabbed at roots."
inseparable
scramble up
B1 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To climb up something quickly and awkwardly, typically using both hands and feet.
In plain English
To climb up something fast but in a messy, clumsy way, like using your hands and feet together.
What does "scramble up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To rise or get to a higher position hurriedly and with effort, often in a competitive or urgent situation.
"When the whistle blew, the players scrambled up from the bench and rushed onto the field."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scramble (move hurriedly and clumsily) upward.
Actually means
To climb up something fast but in a messy, clumsy way, like using your hands and feet together.
Usage tip
Typically intransitive ('she scrambled up the hill'), but can be transitive ('she scrambled up the rocky slope'). Evokes urgency, roughness, or informality of movement. Common in adventure, travel, and sports writing.
Words that pair with "scramble up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hill rock slope wall bank tree
How to conjugate "scramble up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scramble up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrambles up
he/she/it
Past simple
scrambled up
yesterday
Past participle
scrambled up
have + pp
-ing form
scrambling up
continuous
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