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scrape through

B1 informal inseparable both
In simple words

To pass something like a test or hard situation, but only just — almost failing.

Literal meaning: To scrape (just barely fit) through (a narrow opening) — metaphorically, to barely pass through a difficult challenge.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To pass an examination or test with a very low score, barely meeting the required standard.

"He scraped through his chemistry exam with just two marks above the pass mark."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To manage to pass through or survive a difficult situation with great difficulty.

"The small business scraped through the recession, but several staff had to be let go."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Commonly used in educational contexts ('scrape through an exam') and sports ('the team scraped through to the final'). Can be intransitive ('she scraped through') or transitive ('she scraped through her finals'). Widely used in British English.

Commonly used with

exam interview test round season finals

Forms

Base
scrape through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
scrapes through
he/she/it
Past simple
scraped through
yesterday
Past participle
scraped through
have + pp
-ing form
scraping through
continuous

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Synonyms

squeak through barely pass just make it get through scrape by pass by the skin of one's teeth

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