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scrounge down

C1 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To try hard to find or get something, usually by asking different people

Literal meaning: To scrounge (beg or forage) downward — the 'down' particle suggests going lower to find something

Meanings

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."

Grammar: inseparable
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."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

food money supplies information materials

Forms

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

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Synonyms

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