1 B2 idiomatic informal
To collect just enough money or resources for a purpose, with significant difficulty.
"They scratched together enough cash for one night in a hostel and a train ticket home."
separable
scratch together
B2 informal separable transitive
To manage to gather or collect a small amount of something, especially money or people, with difficulty.
In plain English
To slowly find and collect just enough of something you need, usually with a lot of effort.
What does "scratch together" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To assemble a group or team with difficulty, often from whatever is available.
"The manager scratched together a makeshift squad after injuries hit the first team."
separable
Usage tip
A less common variant of 'scrape together'. Carries the same meaning and is used in the same contexts — money, teams, resources. More likely to appear in spoken American English.
Words that pair with "scratch together"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money team funds players crew resources
How to conjugate "scratch together"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scratch together
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scratches together
he/she/it
Past simple
scratched together
yesterday
Past participle
scratched together
have + pp
-ing form
scratching together
continuous
Hear "scratch together" in the wild
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Other ways to say "scratch together"
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