scrape
verb (used with object)
to deprive of or free from an outer layer, adhering matter, etc., or to smooth by drawing or rubbing something, especially a sharp or rough instrument, over the surface.
was scraping
-
past progressiveof scrape.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Fresh out of the University of San Diego, Musselman’s first job was with the Clippers as an account executive in 1987, selling tickets to a team that was scraping the bottom of the NBA standings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2024
When he founded the company, Phillips was bouncing between Whistler, B.C., where he was scraping by as a professional skier, and Seattle.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2024
"I was scraping by before. I was head chef at one point and I worked for quite a few employers and I got fed up with working for very little," he said.
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2022
Mark Gray, a worker with a cleanup company, was scraping remnants of Mr. Patricelli’s house with an excavator.
From New York Times ● May 14, 2022
Black turned right around to look at him; Snape’s head was scraping the ceiling but Black didn’t seem to care.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
