1 B1 idiomatic informal
To collect enough money for something, usually with great difficulty.
"They scraped together enough money for a deposit on their first flat by saving for three years."
separable
scrape together
B1 informal separable transitive
To manage to collect or assemble enough of something (usually money or people) with great difficulty.
In plain English
To slowly gather just enough money, people, or things you need, even though it is really hard.
What does "scrape together" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To assemble a group of people or a collection of items with difficulty.
"The coach could only scrape together eleven players for the match after three withdrew injured."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrape (gather small bits from a surface) together (into one pile) — gathering scarce fragments to make a whole.
Actually means
To slowly gather just enough money, people, or things you need, even though it is really hard.
Usage tip
Most commonly used with money, but also with people, resources, or information. Implies scarcity and effort. Very natural in both British and American English. Can suggest a last-minute or desperate effort.
Words that pair with "scrape together"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money funds cash team evidence resources
How to conjugate "scrape together"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrape together
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrapes together
he/she/it
Past simple
scraped together
yesterday
Past participle
scraped together
have + pp
-ing form
scraping together
continuous
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