scrape in
B2Informal, colloquial.
Definition
Meaning
To achieve something narrowly, often the minimum required amount or qualification.
To narrowly succeed in entering a competitive situation (e.g., an exam, team, job) or barely meet a threshold.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies struggle, luck, or a minimal margin of success. Carries a nuance of relief rather than triumph.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English but fully understood in American English, which might also use "scrape by" or "squeak by/into" in similar contexts.
Connotations
Same connotations in both varieties: narrowly achieving something.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, but not rare in US usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
scrape in [preposition] (the team, the exam)scrape in [with + score/number]scrape in [by + margin]scrape in [under + threshold]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “squeak in”
- “get in by the skin of one's teeth”
- “claw one's way in”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company just scraped in under the quarterly profit target."
Academic
"He scraped in to the university course with the minimum entry requirements."
Everyday
"I thought I'd failed the driving test, but I scraped in with a pass."
Technical
Rare. Could apply in sports/scientific thresholds, e.g., "The athlete scraped in to the finals with a time just within the cut-off."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He only just scraped in to the first eleven.
- The bill scraped in with 51 votes.
- Did you manage to scrape in?
American English
- Our team scraped in to the playoffs.
- She barely scraped in with a C- average.
- He scraped in by two points.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard) He won scrape-in.
American English
- (Not standard) They qualified scrape-in.
adjective
British English
- (Rarely used) It was a scrape-in victory.
American English
- (Rarely used) It was a scrape-in situation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was very happy to scrape in to the football team.
- She thought she failed but scraped in with 51%.
- Despite a poor interview, he managed to scrape in to the graduate scheme.
- The proposed law scraped in by a narrow majority in parliament.
- The party's candidate only scraped in due to a historically low voter turnout in the marginal constituency.
- His dissertation was weak, but he scraped in with a pass after the viva voce.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine scraping your shoe on the doorframe as you just squeeze through a closing door - you 'scrape in'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVING A GOAL IS ENTERING A SPACE (narrow entry = minimal success).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'скрести внутрь'.
- Avoid confusion with 'scrape together' (наскрести).
- Not related to 'scrape' as in clean or rub.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I scraped in the exam.' Correct: 'I scraped in through/past the exam.' or 'I scraped in to the university.'
- Using it for a comfortable win.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'scrape in' typically imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar. 'Scrape in' often focuses on entry/qualification (into a team, exam). 'Scrape by' focuses on survival or passing with minimal resources (scrape by on a low income, scrape by an exam).
No, it is only used for minimal, borderline success, often with a sense of relief.
It's informal and colloquial. In formal writing, use alternatives like 'narrowly qualify' or 'barely achieve'.
Common opposites are 'fail to qualify', 'miss out', or 'fall short'. For a comfortable success, 'cruise in' or 'qualify easily'.