scratch
scratch / skrach/ • v. 1. [tr.] score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object: the car's paintwork was battered and scratched | [intr.] he scratched at a stain on his jacket. ∎ make a long, narrow superficial wound in the skin of: her arms were scratched by the thorns I scratched myself on the tree. ∎ rub (a part of one's body) with one's fingernails to relieve itching: Jessica lifted her sunglasses and scratched her nose. ∎ make (a mark or hole) by scoring a surface with a sharp or pointed object: I found two names scratched on one of the windowpanes. ∎ write (something) hurriedly or awkwardly: pass me my writing things—I'll scratch a few letters before I get up. ∎ [tr.] remove (something) from something else by pulling a sharp implement over it: he scratched away the plaster. ∎ [intr.] make a rasping or grating noise by scraping something over a hard surface: the dog scratched to be let in | [as n.] (scratching) there was a sound of scratching behind the wall. ∎ [intr.] [often as n.] (scratching) play a record using the scratch technique (see sense 1 of the n. below.) ∎ [intr.] (of a bird or mammal, esp. a chicken) rake the ground with the beak or claws in search of food. ∎ accomplish (something) with great effort or difficulty: he scratches out a living growing strawberries.2. [tr.] cancel or strike out (writing) with a pen or pencil: the name of Dr. McNab was scratched out and that of Dr. Daniels substituted. ∎ withdraw (a competitor) from a competition: Oswald's Zephyr was the second horse to be scratched from a race today. ∎ [intr.] (of a competitor) withdraw from a competition: due to a knee injury she was forced to scratch from the race. ∎ cancel or abandon (an undertaking or project): the original filming schedule has been scratched.• n. 1. a mark or wound made by scratching: the scratches on her arm were throbbing | [as adj.] scratch marks on the door. ∎ [in sing.] inf. a slight or insignificant wound or injury: it's nothing—just a scratch. ∎ [in sing.] an act or spell of scratching oneself to relieve itching: he gave his scalp a good scratch. ∎ a rasping or grating noise produced by something rubbing against a hard surface: the scratch of a match lighting a cigarette. ∎ a rough hiss, caused by the friction of the stylus in the groove, heard when a record is played. ∎ a technique, used esp. in rap music, of stopping a record by hand and moving it back and forth to give a rhythmic scratching effect.2. the starting point in a handicap for a competitor receiving no odds. ∎ Golf a handicap of zero, indicating that a player is good enough to achieve par on a course.3. inf. money: he was working to get some scratch together.• adj. 1. assembled or made from whatever is available, and so unlikely to be of the highest quality: at least two vessels set sail with scratch crews.2. (of a sports competitor or event) with no handicap given.PHRASES: from scratch from the very beginning, esp. without utilizing or relying on any previous work for assistance: he built his own computer company from scratch.scratch a —— and find a —— used to suggest that an investigation of someone or something soon reveals their true nature: he had been taught to believe “scratch a pious man and find a hypocrite.”scratch one's head inf. think hard in order to find a solution to something. ∎ feel or express bewilderment.scratch the surface1. deal with a matter only in the most superficial way: research has only scratched the surface of the paranormal.2. initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed: they have a boring image, but scratch the surface and it's fascinating.up to scratch up to the required standard; satisfactory: her German was not up to scratch.DERIVATIVES: scratch·er n.
scratch
Hence scratch sb. result of scratching XVI; mark indicating starting-point XVIII; adj. hastily done, collected, etc. XIX.
scratch
you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours if you do me a favour, I will return it. Proverbial; mutual back-scratching as a metaphor for reciprocity has been current since the early 18th century.