scuffing
scuffing — verb
- scuffingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scuffings3rd person singular
- scuffinging-ing form
- scuffingedpast simple
1. to rub against a surface and leave an ugly scraped patch on it, or to get this k
to rub against a surface and leave an ugly scraped patch on it, or to get this kind of patch through repeated wear.
Hari kept scuffing the polished hallway floor with his wet boots.
scuff + floor/surface object
The movers were scuffing the lift doors as they dragged in the sofa.
damage caused by rubbing during movement
Maeve noticed her suitcase was scuffing against the station wall.
The tight garage was scuffing the silver paint near Daniel's front bumper.
- polish
improves or restores a smooth surface instead of marking it
文法句型
scuff + surface
be scuffing against + surface
用法筆記
Object is usually a shoe, floor, wall, bag, or painted surface. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about dragging feet rather than damaging the surface itself.
常見錯誤
2. to move with the feet dragging on the ground, or to scrape your feet along a sur
to move with the feet dragging on the ground, or to scrape your feet along a surface while walking or standing.
Christopher came downstairs scuffing his feet after the alarm rang.
scuff + feet while walking
The tired children were scuffing along the corridor after swimming class.
intransitive: scuffing along
Cole stood by the door, scuffing one shoe across the mat.
Salma crossed the clinic floor slowly, scuffing her soles at each step.
- stride
suggests purposeful steps with the feet lifted clearly
文法句型
be scuffing along
scuff + feet/shoes
用法筆記
Often suggests tiredness, reluctance, or embarrassment. Subject is usually a person or the person's feet or shoes, not the surface being touched.
3. to make someone's reputation, image, or good name look a little worse by causing
to make someone's reputation, image, or good name look a little worse by causing visible damage to it.
Late invoices were scuffing the cafe's good name with local suppliers.
figurative: scuffing a reputation
The leaked memo kept scuffing the minister's image before the election.
scuff + image
Months of rude replies were scuffing the airline's reputation online.
That public argument was scuffing the coach's standing with parents.
- enhance
improves the image instead of weakening it
文法句型
scuff + reputation
scuff + image/standing
用法筆記
Figurative. The object is usually an image, reputation, standing, or polished public identity rather than a physical surface.
4. to nudge or poke something with the foot or toe, often in a light or restless wa
to nudge or poke something with the foot or toe, often in a light or restless way.
Liang waited by the bench, scuffing pebbles into the flower bed.
scuff + small loose object
During the pause, Maeve stood scuffing a bottle cap with her trainer.
light repeated toe movement
Hari sat on the dock, scuffing the water with his sandal.
Joaquín kept scuffing dead leaves while he waited for the bus.
文法句型
scuff + object
be scuffing at + object
用法筆記
Usually describes small objects such as leaves, stones, or litter. Distinguish from sense 2, where the feet are dragged as part of walking or standing.
5. to hit a ball badly because your foot catches the ground or misses the clean par
to hit a ball badly because your foot catches the ground or misses the clean part of the strike.
Hari kept scuffing his goal kicks on the soaked turf.
sports use: scuffing a goal kick
Élise was scuffing easy clearances because her studs caught the mud.
poor contact caused by the surface
The striker kept scuffing shots from the penalty spot in practice.
Niran apologized after scuffing the cross and sending it behind goal.
- strike cleanly
makes solid contact with the ball
文法句型
scuff + shot/kick/cross
be scuffing the ball
用法筆記
Sports use, especially football. The object is usually a shot, kick, cross, or the ball itself, and the idea is poor contact rather than simply missing the target.
常見錯誤
scuffing — noun
1. the action of dragging or rubbing feet, shoes, or objects across a surface.
the action of dragging or rubbing feet, shoes, or objects across a surface.
Repeated scuffing across the stage stripped the black paint by noon.
scuffing as a repeated action
The teacher stopped the scuffing of chairs before the concert began.
noun pattern: scuffing of + object
Too much scuffing on the gym floor made cleaning harder for staff.
The report blamed the hallway scuffing on delivery trolleys and wet shoes.
文法句型
repeated scuffing
scuffing of + object
用法筆記
Usually uncountable and often describes repeated contact that damages or dirties a surface.
2. rough marks left on a surface after something has rubbed or scraped against it.
rough marks left on a surface after something has rubbed or scraped against it.
A strip of black scuffing showed where the suitcase had hit the wall.
visible mark left by rubbing
The caretaker rubbed at the scuffing near the lift buttons with a cloth.
scuffing on a wall or panel
Fresh scuffing on the classroom tiles led the principal to the back door.
The white trainer showed gray scuffing along the outer toe.
- scuff marks
the common everyday phrase when the marks are countable
- scratches
often thinner and sharper than scuffing
文法句型
scuffing on + surface
strip of scuffing
用法筆記
Usually refers to visible damage or dirt on a wall, floor, shoe, or painted object. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the action that creates the marks.
3. the scraping sound made when shoes or another object rub along a surface.
the scraping sound made when shoes or another object rub along a surface.
The scuffing outside the ward door woke Eshe before sunrise.
hear scuffing outside a place
We heard steady scuffing in the attic while the rain hit the roof.
continuous sound noun
Sudden scuffing behind the curtain made Salma drop her makeup brush.
The guard paused when soft scuffing came from the empty hallway.
文法句型
hear scuffing
scuffing outside + place
用法筆記
Often appears after verbs such as hear, notice, or come from when the speaker is identifying a suspicious or annoying rubbing noise.