scrape along
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To keep going in life even though you barely have enough money or things you need.
Literal meaning: To scrape (move with difficulty along a surface) — extended metaphorically to mean barely progressing through life.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To manage to live or function over time with very limited money or resources.
"After losing his job, he scraped along on his small savings for several months."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To move along a surface while scraping against it, making a rasping sound.
"The heavy furniture scraped along the wooden floor as they pushed it toward the wall."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Implies prolonged financial hardship or difficulty. More common in British English. Often used with 'on' ('scrape along on a small income'). Less common than 'scrape by'.
Commonly used with
income pension salary benefits savings wage
Forms
Base
scrape along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrapes along
he/she/it
Past simple
scraped along
yesterday
Past participle
scraped along
have + pp
-ing form
scraping along
continuous
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Synonyms
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