1 C1 idiomatic informal
To obtain something by persistent begging or opportunistic searching, especially from an unlikely source
"She managed to scrounge out a couple of aspirin from someone at the office."
separable
scrounge out
C1 informal separable transitive
To obtain something by begging or foraging, often from an unlikely or tight source
In plain English
To find or get something by searching carefully or asking around, especially when it's hard to find
What does "scrounge out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 informal
To extract or retrieve something from a messy or difficult-to-access place
"He scrounged out an old charger from the bottom of his bag."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scrounge (beg/forage) something out of a place — the 'out' particle suggests extraction from a source
Actually means
To find or get something by searching carefully or asking around, especially when it's hard to find
Usage tip
Relatively rare and informal. Implies resourcefulness mixed with desperation. Mostly encountered in British informal speech. Less common than 'scrounge up'.
Words that pair with "scrounge out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food money ticket cigarette change
How to conjugate "scrounge out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scrounge out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrounges out
he/she/it
Past simple
scrounged out
yesterday
Past participle
scrounged out
have + pp
-ing form
scrounging out
continuous
Hear "scrounge out" in the wild
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