from scratch

Idioms  

1. 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

See Examples For:

from scratch

The pushback against human involvement similarly dogged Koji Kinjo's 2009 opening of an "artificial sea" that he built from scratch in the village of Yomitan.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

After some coaxing from family, Ramirez realized he was perfectly equipped to create mobile kitchens from scratch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

The company, in response, designed cameras largely from scratch, as well as a new camera sound blimp for the film.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

Developers of eCPs should be able to draw on the extensive prior knowledge already generated by the original large-molecule biologic during its own approval process, rather than starting from scratch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Tearing down the old and starting again from scratch is what revolutions are all about.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton