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Synonyms

scruff

1 American  
[skruhf] / skrʌf /

noun

  1. the nape or back of the neck.

scruff 2 American  
[skruhf] / skrʌf /

noun

Metallurgy.

  1. (in tin-plating) dross formed in the bath.

scruff 1 British  
/ skrʌf /

noun

  1. informal an untidy scruffy person

  2. informal a disreputable person, ruffian

  3. another name for scum

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
scruff 2 British  
/ skrʌf /

noun

  1. the nape of the neck (esp in the phrase by the scruff of the neck )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of scruff1

1780–90; variant of dial. scuff, scuft < Dutch schoft horse's withers

Origin of scruff2

Metathetic variant of scurf

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.

Jacks took the game by the scruff of the neck after England stuttered to 105-5 in the 13th over.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Moriarty figures heavily in the opening episodes of “Sherlock & Daughter” too, although Dougray Scott lends a malevolent scruff to him that Park’s interpretation tidies up.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2025

England have the first Test by the scruff of the neck thanks largely to a very un-Kiwi-like performance.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2024

A team of young, unflappable characters is a positive, but sometimes you need players to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2024

Flora picked Ulysses up by the scruff of his neck.

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.