scraping
scraping — noun
- scrapingsingular
- scrapingsplural
1. the action of taking off the top part or outer layer of something by dragging a
the action of taking off the top part or outer layer of something by dragging a sharp or rough tool across it
The scraping of old paint from the wooden door took Keiko nearly three hours.
scraping of + substance + from + surface
Hasan listened to the steady scraping of the knife against the burnt toast.
A careful scraping of the rusty metal revealed the original shine underneath.
The scraping of ice from the car windows made Diego late for his morning meeting.
2. a rough, unpleasant noise produced when one hard thing is dragged across another
a rough, unpleasant noise produced when one hard thing is dragged across another surface
Amara woke up to the loud scraping of a chair being dragged across the floor upstairs.
loud scraping — typical collocation
The scraping of the rusty gate every evening told Soren his neighbour was home.
Fatima could not concentrate with the constant scraping of the broken pencil on paper.
A sudden scraping noise from the dark hallway made the children freeze in place.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the sound produced, not the act of removing material. Often used with 'sound' or 'noise'.
3. a tiny piece or thin layer that comes off a surface when a sharp or rough tool i
a tiny piece or thin layer that comes off a surface when a sharp or rough tool is dragged across it — almost always used in the plural form
Johan collected the scrapings of dried glue from the table with a small brush.
usually plural: scrapings
The baker swept the scrapings of burnt dough into the bin before opening the shop.
A few scrapings of dark chocolate were all that remained on the mixing bowl.
The lab technician examined the skin scrapings under a microscope for any sign of infection.
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'scrapings'. The singular 'scraping' is rare in this sense.
常見錯誤
4. the process of using a computer program to pull information from websites and co
the process of using a computer program to pull information from websites and copy it into a spreadsheet, database, or file for later use
The intern wrote a script for the scraping of product prices from three online stores.
scraping of + data type + from + source
Web scraping helped Rosa gather thousands of customer reviews for her research project.
web scraping — fixed compound
The company blocked the scraping of its job listings after noticing unusual traffic patterns.
Scraping social media posts gave the team a clear picture of public opinion.
- data mining
broader term that includes analysing data, not just collecting it
- harvesting
less technical; suggests gathering rather than automated extraction
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'web scraping' or 'screen scraping'. Common in computing and data science contexts.
scraping — verb
- scrapingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scrapings3rd person singular
- scrapinging-ing form
- scrapingedpast simple
1. to take something off a surface by pulling a sharp or rough tool across it repea
to take something off a surface by pulling a sharp or rough tool across it repeatedly
Amina scraped the mud off her boots with a stick before stepping inside the house.
scrape + object + off + surface
Ben scraped the ice from the windscreen while his children waited in the warm car.
The chef scraped the burnt bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
Old Mr. Chen scraped the label off the jar, leaving a sticky white patch behind.
The workers scraped layers of old wallpaper from the bedroom wall before painting it.
文法句型
scrape + object + off + surface
scrape + substance + from + surface
scrape + surface + clean
用法筆記
Object is the substance or layer being removed (mud, paint, ice), not the underlying surface. The surface appears in a prepositional phrase (off the boots, from the pan).
常見錯誤
2. to move roughly across a surface in a way that may cause damage or produce an un
to move roughly across a surface in a way that may cause damage or produce an unpleasant noise
The kitchen chair scraped against the tiled floor every time Johan stood up from the table.
scrape against + surface — intransitive use
Clara scraped her elbow on the rough brick wall while running down the narrow alley.
scrape + body part — causing injury
The heavy box scraped along the wooden floor, leaving a long white mark behind it.
A branch scraped noisily against the window during the storm, keeping the whole family awake.
Olu scraped the bottom of the car on a high kerb while parking outside the restaurant.
文法句型
scrape against + surface
scrape + body part + on/against + surface
用法筆記
This sense can be transitive (scrape your knee) or intransitive (the chair scraped against the floor). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on rough contact and its effects, not on deliberately removing material.
常見錯誤
3. to bring together small amounts of something — especially money — with difficult
to bring together small amounts of something — especially money — with difficulty, bit by bit, until there is just enough
Diego scraped together just enough money for a plane ticket home by working extra shifts.
scrape together — fixed phrasal pattern
The students scraped up their last coins to buy a small gift for their teacher.
scrape up + money
Ananya scraped together a team of volunteers in less than three days for the event.
The small charity scraped up enough donations to keep the soup kitchen open for another month.
文法句型
scrape together + money/resources
scrape up + amount
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'together' or 'up'. The object is typically money, but can extend to other resources or people when there is a sense of scarcity and effort. Subject is usually a person or organisation.
常見錯誤
4. to barely succeed at something or just manage to get through a difficult situati
to barely succeed at something or just manage to get through a difficult situation, often with very little to spare
Hasan scraped through his final exams with just a few marks above the passing grade.
scrape through + exam/test
The café scraped by during the long winter months, relying on a handful of loyal customers.
scrape by — surviving financially
Rosa scraped through the interview despite being unable to answer two of the technical questions.
Soren scraped into the university team as the very last player selected from the tryouts.
The small nation scraped through the qualifying round with a single goal in the final minute.
文法句型
scrape by
scrape through + exam/situation
scrape into + team/position
用法筆記
Always used with a particle: 'by' (survive financially or in general), 'through' (pass an exam or difficult period), or 'into' (gain entry by the narrowest margin). Never takes a direct object in this sense.