| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| scrape by |
have just enough to live, get by
|
We can scrape by if we sell the car and the TV.
|
| scrape me off the ceiling |
help me become normal or recover from shock
|
If I win a million dollars, you'll have to scrape me off the ceiling.
|
| scrape the bottom of the barrel |
use the last ones or the worst ones, seconds
|
He's a bad referee. We scraped the bottom of the barrel to find him.
|
| scratch |
money, cash, bread, moola
|
If we sell these bottles, we'll have enough scratch to buy cigarettes.
|
| scratch |
remove from the list, cancel
|
I saw the list of players on the team. I've been scratched.
|
| scratch the surface |
barely begin, uncover only a few facts
|
His first lecture on Stravinsky only scratched the surface. He told us
the basic facts about the composer.
|
| scratch your head |
feel confused, wonder who or why
|
They're still scratching their heads about who assassinated Kennedy.
|
| screech |
homemade liquor, hooch, moonshine
|
We can't afford a bottle of gin, so I bought a jug of screech.
|
| screw |
cheat, shaft, get an unfair advantage (also see get screwed)
|
Twice I tried to strike a deal with him and twice he screwed me.
|
| screw [B] |
have sex with, make love
|
When he heard the bed squeaking he knew they were screwing.
|
Brass Nuts Brass Screws Brass Fasteners