1 C1 idiomatic informal
To search persistently in lower places or among less obvious sources for something needed
"He scrounged down through the back of every drawer looking for spare batteries."
inseparable
scrounge down
C1 informal inseparable transitive
To search for or beg for something in a determined or desperate way, especially from people lower in a hierarchy
In plain English
To try hard to find or get something, usually by asking different people
What does "scrounge down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To beg or ask for something from those around or below you in a social or organisational context
"The volunteers scrounged down the street asking every shop for donated goods."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrounge (beg or forage) downward — the 'down' particle suggests going lower to find something
Actually means
To try hard to find or get something, usually by asking different people
Usage tip
This phrasal verb is relatively rare and may be considered non-standard by some speakers. It appears mainly in informal British English. 'Scrounge up' is far more commonly used for similar meanings.
Words that pair with "scrounge down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food money supplies information materials
How to conjugate "scrounge down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrounge down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrounges down
he/she/it
Past simple
scrounged down
yesterday
Past participle
scrounged down
have + pp
-ing form
scrounging down
continuous
Hear "scrounge down" in the wild
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