What does not up to scratch mean
William Cox
Updated on May 09, 2026
chiefly British, informal. : good enough : as good as expected or wanted —usually used in negative statements Her performance wasn’t up to scratch.
What does scratch mean in slang?
About that word “scratch”—a 1915 dictionary of criminal slang lists “scratch” as a word used for money by “literate criminals.” These well-read thieves were also said to use the terms “stiff” and “reader” to mean any piece of paper, not just money.
What does without a scratch mean?
Definition of without a scratch : without getting hurt : without any injuries He escaped the fire without a scratch.
Where does the phrase up to scratch come from?
The phrase up to scratch appeared sometime in the mid-1800s, and originated in the sport of boxing. When boxing was bare-knuckled, the opponents were required to stand with their toes against a scratch in the ground at the start of every round.What does Scatch mean?
Filters. A kind of bit for the bridle of a horse. noun.
What does scratched up mean?
Definitions of scratch up. verb. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of. synonyms: scrape, scratch.
What is the opposite of scratch?
Opposite of to make a long, narrow superficial wound or mark on a surface, especially skin. heal. mend. schedule. smooth.
What does takes the biscuit mean?
Definition of ‘to take the biscuit’ If someone has done something very stupid, rude, or selfish, you can say that they take the biscuit or that what they have done takes the biscuit, to emphasize your surprise at their behaviour. [British, emphasis]regional note: in AM, use take the cake.What does get up to the scratch mean?
chiefly British, informal. : good enough : as good as expected or wanted —usually used in negative statements Her performance wasn’t up to scratch.
What does scratch paper mean?Definition of scratch paper : paper that may be used for casual writing.
Article first time published onDo it from scratch?
If you do something from scratch, you do it without making use of anything that has been done before.
What does scratch mean in sports?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. A scratch team is a team, usually in sport, brought together on a temporary basis, composed of players who normally play for different sides.
What are scratch marks?
(skrætʃ mɑːk) the mark left by a scratch. There were scratch marks on his neck.
Is scathingly a word?
Meaning of scathingly in English. in a way that criticizes someone or something severely or unkindly: She spoke scathingly of the poor standard of work done by her predecessor.
What is scratch in Tagalog?
The English word “scratch” can be translated as the following words in Tagalog: Best translations for the English word scratch in Tagalog: gasgás [noun] scratch; gall; [adjective] scratched; worn out more… kahig [noun] scratch more… galos [noun] scratch; small cut; scar more…
What's another way to say from scratch?
ab initioinitiallyoriginallyprimarilyda capofrom first principlesfrom the beginningfrom the startto begin withto start with
What's another word for scratchy?
In this page you can discover 32 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for scratchy, like: dry, harsh, rasping, grating, raspy, rough, abrasive, squawky, strident, sounds and gravelly.
What is an antonym for scrape?
verb. ( ˈskreɪp) Bruise, cut, or injure the skin or the surface of. Antonyms. disparage disassemble refrain dissuade. skin injure.
What does it mean to struck out?
1 : to enter upon a course of action. 2 : to set out vigorously. 3 : to make an out in baseball by a strikeout.
What does getting stuck into mean?
(UK, Australia, New Zealand) Get busy with; become occupied with; become immersed in. verb.
What does the phrase all right tell us?
The definition of all-right is an expression used to affirm or emphasis that something is very true. An example of all-right is when you say “It sure is raining all-right.” Correct. Your answers are all right.
What is meaning of high minded?
English Language Learners Definition of high-minded : having or showing intelligence and a strong moral character.
What is the meaning of the idiom throw in the towel?
To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”
What does not a patch mean?
Definition of be not a patch on : to be much less good, appealing, impressive, etc., than (someone or something) The new chairman isn’t a patch on his predecessor.
What does getting cold feet mean?
Definition of cold feet : apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.
What does too old to cut the mustard mean?
To cut the mustard is “to reach or surpass the desired standard or performance” or more generally “to succeed, to have the ability to do something.” For instance, Beyoncé really cut the mustard in her new song.
Where does upset the apple cart come from?
This phrase is first recorded by Jeremy Belknap in The History of New Hampshire, 1788: “Adams had almost overset the apple-cart by intruding an amendment of his own fabrication on the morning of the day of ratification” [of the Constitution]. 2. According to another source, the original intent was to throw a man down.
How do you spell scrap paper?
noun. Odd bits of paper, used for making rough notes. ‘Enthusiastic young recyclers were left red faced when they dumped project work along with scrap paper in their school paper bank. ‘
Will give it a shot meaning?
(idiomatic) Try or attempt (something). I don’t think it will work, but I suppose you could give it a shot.
Do all from the scratch?
Entirely without the aid of something that is already prepared or in existence. Refers to making something, usually food, from the raw or base ingredients or components, rather than those that have been preassembled or already partially completed.
Is from scratch an idiom?
Start from scratch is an idiom with roots in sporting events. The idiom start from scratch is often shortened to simply from scratch, often used to mean to make a meal or bake a pastry made from individual ingredients rather than a processed mix. …