scuffs
scuffs — verb
- scuffspresent simple I / you / we / they
- scuffses3rd person singular
- scuffsing-ing form
- scuffsedpast simple
1. to damage a smooth surface by rubbing or scraping it against something hard, cre
to damage a smooth surface by rubbing or scraping it against something hard, creating a shallow mark or a worn patch
Nadia scuffed her new leather boots on the rough pavement while walking home.
The old wooden floor in the hallway had been scuffed by years of students dragging their chairs.
passive: be scuffed by [cause]
Aoi scuffed the wall when she pushed the heavy sofa across the room alone.
The old leather sofa was scuffed along the armrests from years of daily use.
文法句型
scuff + noun phrase
noun phrase + scuffs
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive form (be scuffed) or as a past participle adjective (scuffed shoes).
常見錯誤
2. to strike a ball poorly because your foot hits the ground first instead of the b
to strike a ball poorly because your foot hits the ground first instead of the ball, sending it only a short distance or in the wrong direction
Selim scuffed his penalty kick and sent the ball rolling gently toward the goalkeeper.
scuff + noun phrase for sports mistake
The striker scuffed the shot and watched the ball trickle slowly past the wrong side of the post.
Yan tried to clear the ball but scuffed his foot on the turf and missed it completely.
Femi scuffed the ball on the wet grass, and it barely reached the defender.
文法句型
scuff + noun phrase (ball/shot)
scuff + adverb
用法筆記
This sense is most common in football (soccer) commentary and informal sports talk. Not used for deliberately poor kicks.
常見錯誤
3. to slightly damage an otherwise good reputation, record, or image through a mino
to slightly damage an otherwise good reputation, record, or image through a minor mistake or failure
The minor scandal scuffed the senator's once-spotless public image but did not end his career.
scuff + noun phrase for figurative damage to reputation
Hassan's perfect attendance record was slightly scuffed when he missed one day due to a flat tyre.
Amira's organic skincare brand was slightly scuffed by the misleading-label complaint, but loyal customers stayed.
The chef's spotless kitchen record was scuffed by a single health inspection complaint.
- enhance
to improve rather than harm a reputation
文法句型
scuff + noun phrase (reputation/record/image)
用法筆記
Always implies a minor or temporary effect — not strong enough for serious or permanent harm.
4. to move forward while dragging the soles of your shoes along the ground, or to r
to move forward while dragging the soles of your shoes along the ground, or to rub your foot against a surface as a nervous or idle habit
Kabir scuffed his feet along the dusty path, too tired to lift them properly after the long hike.
scuff + possessive + feet + along + [surface]
The bored child sat on the bench and scuffed the toe of his shoe against the pavement again and again.
Yael stood awkwardly in the hallway, scuffing her toe in the carpet and avoiding eye contact.
The old man scuffed his slippers across the linoleum floor on the way to the garden.
文法句型
scuff + prepositional phrase
scuff + adverb
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective (my/his/her feet) or a prepositional phrase indicating the surface. The person is typically tired, bored, or nervous.
常見錯誤
scuffs — noun
- scuffssingular
- scuffsesplural
1. a shallow mark or worn patch on a surface, caused by rubbing or scraping against
a shallow mark or worn patch on a surface, caused by rubbing or scraping against something hard
There was a dark scuff on the white wall where the suitcase had rubbed against it during the move.
a/the scuff + on + [surface]
Tendai examined the scuffs on his new shoes and sighed with disappointment at the very first scratch.
The wooden floor had several dark scuffs from the movers sliding furniture across the room.
Eli tried to polish away the scuffs on his dress shoes before the wedding ceremony.
文法句型
a/the scuff + on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Usually plural (scuffs) when referring to multiple marks. A single mark is 'a scuff'.
常見錯誤
2. the action or sound of dragging your feet along the ground while walking or stan
the action or sound of dragging your feet along the ground while walking or standing
Nora could hear the slow scuff of her grandfather's slippers as he shuffled down the hallway.
the scuff + of + [possessor's] + [footwear]
With a soft scuff, the tired dancer slid her feet across the stage as the final curtain fell.
The only sound in the quiet reading room was the gentle scuff of shoes on the old carpet.
Jessica recognized her father's slow scuff in the hallway before he even knocked on the door.
文法句型
a/the scuff + of + noun phrase
with a scuff
用法筆記
Often appears with descriptive adjectives (slow scuff, soft scuff, gentle scuff) to describe the quality of the sound or motion.
3. a soft indoor shoe with a flat sole and no material covering the back of the hee
a soft indoor shoe with a flat sole and no material covering the back of the heel, designed for easy slipping on and off
Abigail slipped her feet into her warm scuffs and walked to the kitchen for a cup of coffee.
pair of scuffs / slip into scuffs
The hotel provided soft white scuffs for guests to wear in their rooms after a long flight.
Isabela packed a pair of scuffs for lounging around the cabin during the weekend ski trip.
Camille took off her boots and put on the hotel scuffs before lying down on the bed.
文法句型
a pair of scuffs
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the plural because they come as a pair. You can say 'a pair of scuffs' or simply 'scuffs'.