Synonyms

from scratch

Idioms

From the very beginning, from the outset; from nothing. For example, I knew we'd have a problem from scratch. Similarly, to start from scratch means “to start from the very beginning,” as in After the business failed, they decided to reorganize and start from scratch. This term comes from racing, where a competitor starts from the line scratched into the ground (whereas others may start ahead with a handicap). [Mid-1800s] Also see from the ground up; from the word go.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many decades later, creating meals from scratch – not because I have to, but because I want to – is a cherished avocation.

From Salon

“We built that motorbike from scratch. Took us two years.”

From Literature

American Frances Tiafoe is another player who built his career from scratch.

From BBC

I just redid my personal website from scratch in 20 minutes without writing a single line of code.

From The Wall Street Journal

The US has unveiled its plans for a "New Gaza" that would see the devastated Palestinian territory rebuilt from scratch.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023