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up to scratch

 [skrach]   Origin

scratch

   [skrach]
verb (used with object)
1.
to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough: to scratch one's hand on a nail.
2.
to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.: to scratch the burs off one's coat.
3.
to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.
4.
to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface: to scratch a match on the sidewalk.
5.
to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed by out): Scratch out the third name on the list.
EXPAND
6.
to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.
7.
U.S. Politics.
a.
to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
b.
to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.
8.
to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface: She scratched her initials on the glass.
9.
to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
10.
to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.
11.
to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.
12.
to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.
13.
to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty: We scratched along that year on very little money.
14.
to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.
EXPAND
15.
(in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.
16.
Billiards, Pool. to make a shot that results in a penalty, especially to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
COLLAPSE

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Up to scratch is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
noun
17.
a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching: three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.
18.
a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.
19.
an act of scratching.
20.
the slight grating sound caused by scratching.
21.
the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.
EXPAND
22.
Billiards, Pool.
a.
a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
b.
a fluke or lucky shot.
23.
(in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.
24.
Baseball. scratch hit.
25.
scratch wig.
26.
Slang. money; cash.
COLLAPSE
adjective
27.
used for hasty writing, notes, etc.: scratch paper.
28.
without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.
29.
Informal. done by or dependent on chance: a scratch shot.
30.
Informal. gathered hastily and indiscriminately: a scratch crew.
31.
done or made from scratch: a scratch cake.
Idioms
32.
from scratch,
a.
from the very beginning or starting point.
b.
from nothing; without resources: After the depression he started another business from scratch.
33.
up to scratch, in conformity with a certain standard; adequate; satisfactory: The local symphony orchestra has improved this year, but it is still not up to scratch.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English scracche (v.), blend of Middle English scratte to scratch, and cracche to scratch; cognate with Middle Dutch cratsen

Related forms
scratch·a·ble, adjective
scratch·a·bly, adverb
scratch·er, noun
scratch·less, adjective
scratch·like, adjective
EXPAND
un·scratch·a·ble, adjective
un·scratched, adjective
un·scratch·ing, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To up to scratch
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

Scratch
in Old Scratch "the Devil," 1740, is from earlier Scrat, from O.N. skratte "goblin, monster," a word which was used in late O.E. for "hermaphrodite" (cf. O.H.G. scrato "satyr, wood demon").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

scratch definition


  1. n.
    money. : I just don't have the scratch.
  2. tv.
    to eliminate something from a list; to cancel something. : We decided to scratch the idea of a new car. The old one will have to do.
  3. mod.
    impromptu; temporary. (See also pickup.) : We started a scratch game of basketball, but most of the girls had to leave at dinnertime.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source

up to scratch definition


and up to snuff
  1. mod.
    satisfactory; up to what is expected. (Colloquial. Snuff is related in some way to tobacco. Scratch may allude to the starting or finish line in a contest.) : We felt that the entertainment was not up to scratch. , The food was up to snuff, but the hotel staff was not at its usually efficient best.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
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