scare up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To find or get something even when it's hard to find.
Literal meaning: To frighten something upward — the connection to the idiom is not transparent; 'scare up' likely derives from flushing game birds out of cover.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To find or gather something with difficulty, especially using limited resources or ingenuity.
"Can you scare up enough chairs for everyone? We have more guests than expected."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To manage to produce a meal or food quickly from whatever ingredients are available.
"I'll see what's in the fridge and scare up some dinner for us."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly American English. Informal and conversational in tone. Implies resourcefulness and effort. Often used with words like 'money', 'food', 'help'. Not used in formal writing.
Commonly used with
money food votes support help evidence
Forms
Base
scare up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scares up
he/she/it
Past simple
scared up
yesterday
Past participle
scared up
have + pp
-ing form
scaring up
continuous
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