SCRATCH (1)
06 / 05 / 2013
SCRATCH (1): meaning and examples
Good morning!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Today we will begin a Daily Vitamin series of expressions that include the word SCRATCH. The word escrache (originating from an Argentinean use of the English word SCRATCH) has been in the news a lot in Spain lately and it is used to refer to a non-violent protest outside the home or workplace of a notable politician or public figure. As we will soon see, the original English word SCRATCH has a very different meaning. Notice the pronunciation in English is only one syllable.
Today's word is: TO SCRATCH
Meaning 1: to cut into the surface of an object with a sharp instrument, like a knife on wood.
Example 1:
Tommy: Danny! If the teacher sees you scratching your initials into the desk, you'll be in big trouble!
Danny: Huh! I'm not the first person to scratch something into this old desk, you know. The teacher will never notice my initials!
Meaning 2: to scrape the surface of the skin with the nails to relieve an irritating sensation (an itch).
Example 2:
My back is really itchy. Can you scratch it for me? I can't reach!
Meaning 3: to irritate or scrape the surface of the skin when it comes in contact with another object, in an abrasive way.
Example 3:
I have to go to the chemist's and buy some ointment for my knee. I scratched it on some thorny bushes yesterday while I was going for a hike.
As you can see, all of these meanings are related to an abrasion or an irritation on a surface of some kind. Tomorrow we will explain an expression with the word SCRATCH.
Until then, have a great day!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Today we will begin a Daily Vitamin series of expressions that include the word SCRATCH. The word escrache (originating from an Argentinean use of the English word SCRATCH) has been in the news a lot in Spain lately and it is used to refer to a non-violent protest outside the home or workplace of a notable politician or public figure. As we will soon see, the original English word SCRATCH has a very different meaning. Notice the pronunciation in English is only one syllable.
Today's word is: TO SCRATCH
Meaning 1: to cut into the surface of an object with a sharp instrument, like a knife on wood.
Example 1:
Tommy: Danny! If the teacher sees you scratching your initials into the desk, you'll be in big trouble!
Danny: Huh! I'm not the first person to scratch something into this old desk, you know. The teacher will never notice my initials!
Meaning 2: to scrape the surface of the skin with the nails to relieve an irritating sensation (an itch).
Example 2:
My back is really itchy. Can you scratch it for me? I can't reach!
Meaning 3: to irritate or scrape the surface of the skin when it comes in contact with another object, in an abrasive way.
Example 3:
I have to go to the chemist's and buy some ointment for my knee. I scratched it on some thorny bushes yesterday while I was going for a hike.
As you can see, all of these meanings are related to an abrasion or an irritation on a surface of some kind. Tomorrow we will explain an expression with the word SCRATCH.
Until then, have a great day!
