1 B1 informal
To write something quickly and untidily in order to record it.
"She scrawled down his phone number on a napkin before he left the restaurant."
separable
scrawl down
B2 informal separable transitive
To write something quickly and messily, producing hard-to-read handwriting.
In plain English
To write something fast in a messy way that is hard to read.
What does "scrawl down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrawl (write messily) something down (onto paper/a surface, recording it).
Actually means
To write something fast in a messy way that is hard to read.
Usage tip
'Scrawl' already implies messy writing; 'down' reinforces the act of recording something. The combination is slightly redundant but commonly used. More idiomatic than simply 'scrawl'.
Words that pair with "scrawl down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
number address note message name directions
How to conjugate "scrawl down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrawl down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrawls down
he/she/it
Past simple
scrawled down
yesterday
Past participle
scrawled down
have + pp
-ing form
scrawling down
continuous
Hear "scrawl down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "scrawl down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "scrawl down"
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Keep exploring
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