scratch

IPA/skrætʃ/
KK[skrˈætʃ]IPA/skrætʃ/

scratch — 動詞

  • scratchpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • scratcheshe / she / it
  • scratchedpast simple
  • scratching-ing form

1. to produce a narrow mark on a surface or on your body by running a pointed or ja

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

刮傷；劃傷

用尖物在表面留下細痕

to produce a narrow mark on a surface or on your body by running a pointed or jagged item over it

例句

Ravindra scratched the top of his new desk when he moved it across the room.

Ravindra 移動新書桌時，在桌面刮出了一道痕跡。

transitive: scratch + surface damaged

A sharp branch scratched Salma's arm as she ran through the forest.

Salma 跑過樹林時，一根尖樹枝劃傷了她的手臂。

accidental damage with natural object

常見搭配
  • scratch the surface
  • scratch the paint
  • scratch your arm
  • scratch easily
  • deeply scratched
  • lightly scratched
同義詞
  • scrape

    implies a wider, rougher area of damage rather than a thin line

  • gouge

    a deeper, more forceful mark, often made by a pointed tool

  • scuff

    a shallow mark made by rubbing, especially on shoes or floors

  • graze

    used for light surface damage to skin, not hard surfaces

反義詞
  • polish

    making a surface smooth and shiny

  • buff

    rubbing to remove marks and restore shine

文法句型

scratch + noun (surface/skin)

scratch + noun + on/against + noun

noun + scratches + adverb (easily)

用法筆記

Often used to describe accidental damage to surfaces such as paintwork, wood, glass, or skin. The object is typically the thing that receives the mark, not the thing that causes it.

常見錯誤

I scratched the knife on the table' (when meaning I damaged the knife).
I scratched the table with the knife.
The object of 'scratch' is the surface that gets the mark, not the tool.

2. to add a design, writing, or similar result onto a surface, or to remove unwante

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

刻劃；刮除

用尖物刻上圖案或刮掉東西

to add a design, writing, or similar result onto a surface, or to remove unwanted material from it, by using a sharp or rough tool

例句

Someone scratched their initials into the old wooden bench at the park.

有人在公園那張老木椅上刻下了自己的名字縮寫。

adding: scratch + noun + into + surface

Erik scratched a rough map of the campsite onto the ground with a stick.

Erik 用樹枝在地上畫了一張簡陋的營地地圖。

常見搭配
  • scratch initials into
  • scratch a design on
  • scratch something off
  • scratch a line
  • scratch a mark
同義詞
  • carve

    deeper and more deliberate cutting into wood or stone

  • etch

    using acid or a sharp tool to create a permanent design

  • scrape off

    specifically removing material, not adding it

  • scribble

    writing quickly and carelessly, without scratching

文法句型

scratch + noun (mark/design) + on/onto + surface

scratch + noun (unwanted material) + off + surface

用法筆記

This sense covers two opposite actions — adding marks (like carving initials) and removing marks (like scraping off dried paint). Context tells you which direction the action goes.

常見錯誤

I scratched my name on the wall' (vague).
I scratched my name into the wet concrete with a nail.
Be specific about the tool and the method for clarity.

3. to use the claws to rub against a surface, as a cat, dog, or other animal does

3.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

抓扒

動物用爪子摩擦表面

to use the claws to rub against a surface, as a cat, dog, or other animal does

例句

The dog scratched at the back door every morning until someone let her in.

那隻狗每天早上都在後門口抓扒，直到有人讓牠進來。

intransitive: scratch + at + surface

A squirrel scratched noisily at the wooden fence behind the garden shed.

一隻松鼠在花園棚子後面的木籬笆上抓個不停，發出沙沙聲。

常見搭配
  • scratch at the door
  • scratch the floor
  • scratch a hole
  • scratch with claws
同義詞
  • claw

    specifically suggests digging or tearing with claws, more aggressive

  • paw

    describes a gentler rubbing or tapping motion with the front paw

  • scrabble

    frantic scratching, usually with all four feet on a surface

文法句型

animal + scratches

animal + scratches + at/on + surface

animal + scratches + noun

用法筆記

Subject is almost always an animal. The scratching may be for digging, sharpening claws, making a nest, getting attention, or relieving an itch. Distinguish from sense 4 (RUB ITCH), where the subject is a person using fingernails on their own skin.

4. to use your fingernails to rub a part of your skin, especially when it feels unc

4.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

搔癢

用指甲抓皮膚止癢

to use your fingernails to rub a part of your skin, especially when it feels uncomfortable or itches

例句

Noa scratched his mosquito bites even though his mother told him not to.

Noa 一直抓他的蚊子包，儘管媽媽叫他不要抓。

scratch + body area (mosquito bites)

Camila kept scratching her arm because the wool sweater made her skin itch.

Camila 不停搔癢她的手臂，因為羊毛衣讓她皮膚發癢。

常見搭配
  • scratch an itch
  • scratch your nose
  • scratch your head
  • scratch a bite
  • stop scratching
同義詞
  • rub

    gentler and uses the palm or back of hand, not fingernails

  • claw

    more aggressive scratching that may leave marks

文法句型

scratch + body part (arm/nose/head)

scratch + an itch

intransitive: stop scratching

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person. When used with 'scratch your head', it can also mean thinking hard about something, which is a separate idiomatic use (see idioms). The literal sense of scratching for an itch is the most basic meaning.

常見錯誤

I need to scratch my shirt' (when meaning adjust).
I need to scratch my arm.
You scratch your skin, not your clothing.

5. to decide that a person, animal, or team will not take part in a competition aft

5.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

退賽

選手在比賽開始前退出

to decide that a person, animal, or team will not take part in a competition after they were originally expected to

例句

The champion runner had to scratch from the race after injuring her knee.

那位冠軍跑者因為膝蓋受傷，被迫退出了比賽。

intransitive: person + scratches from + event

Aaron scratched his horse from the competition when it became sick.

Aaron 的馬生病了，他只好讓牠退出比賽。

transitive: owner + scratches + animal

常見搭配
  • scratch from the race
  • scratch a horse
  • scratch an entry
  • be scratched from competition
同義詞
  • withdraw

    more general term for leaving any event, not limited to competitions

  • pull out

    informal phrasal verb for backing out of an event or agreement

反義詞
  • enter

    to join or sign up for a competition

  • compete

    to take part in a contest

文法句型

scratch + noun (runner/horse/team) + from + competition

noun + scratches

be scratched from + competition

用法筆記

Common in sports journalism and racing contexts. The passive form ('be scratched from') is frequently used when officials remove a competitor for medical or disciplinary reasons.

常見錯誤

He scratched the race' (ambiguous).
He scratched from the race an hour before it started.
Use 'from' or 'from the' to clarify withdrawal.

6. to decide that a planned event or activity will not happen, especially when it h

6.動詞及物B2
釋義

取消

臨時決定取消原定活動

to decide that a planned event or activity will not happen, especially when it has already been arranged

例句

Naoko and her flatmates had planned a picnic, but the heavy rain forced them to scratch it.

Naoko 和她的室友原本計劃去野餐，但大雨讓她們只好取消。

informal: scratch + it (referring to plan)

Kofi scratched his weekend hiking trip after checking the weather forecast.

Kofi 查了天氣預報之後，取消了週末的登山計畫。

常見搭配
  • scratch the plan
  • scratch the trip
  • scratch the meeting
  • have to scratch
  • decide to scratch
同義詞
  • cancel

    the standard, neutral term for calling off an event

  • call off

    phrasal verb with the same meaning, neutral register

  • drop

    informal, can also mean abandoning a plan or idea

反義詞

文法句型

scratch + noun (plan/event/trip)

scratch + noun + from + schedule

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 5 (WITHDRAW FROM RACE), which is specific to sports competitions. This sense applies to any kind of plan or event — parties, trips, appointments. More informal than 'cancel' and most common in everyday conversation.

7. used to say that you want to take back a statement you have just made, usually i

7.動詞B2
釋義

收回；更正

口頭收回剛才說的話

used to say that you want to take back a statement you have just made, usually in order to replace it with a better or more accurate one

例句

Eitan's the laziest person I know — no, scratch that, he's just very relaxed.

Eitan 是我見過最懶惰的人——不，收回那句話，他只是很放鬆而已。

pattern: no, scratch that — [correction]

I thought I saw a bear, but scratch that — it was just a large dog.

我以為看到一頭熊，不過更正一下——那只是一隻大狗。

常見搭配
  • scratch that
  • no scratch that
  • actually scratch that
  • sorry scratch that
同義詞
  • forget that

    similar meaning but less common in this specific retraction context

  • never mind

    more general way to withdraw a statement or request

文法句型

scratch that (as an interjection)

no, scratch that — [replacement]

用法筆記

Always used with the object 'that' — 'scratch that' is a fixed, idiomatic expression. It is not a regular transitive verb in this sense (you cannot say 'I scratch my earlier comment'). Typically appears in informal speech or writing, often in conversations, emails, or notes.

常見錯誤

I scratch my previous statement.
I'll scratch that.
Only 'scratch that' works as the fixed expression. Don't substitute other objects.
片語動詞

scratch about

phrasal verb

To search for something by moving things around or looking in different places.

四處翻找

Sara scratched about in her bag for the keys.

The dog scratched about in the garden looking for a bone.

scratch around

phrasal verb

To search in various places for something, often with difficulty.

到處尋找

Diego scratched around the desk for a pen that worked.

We scratched around for enough money to pay the rent.

scratch out

phrasal verb

To remove or cancel something written by drawing a line through it.

劃掉

The teacher scratched out the wrong answer with a red pen.

He scratched out his name from the list of volunteers.

慣用語

scratch your head

idiom

to think hard about something because you find it confusing, surprising, or difficult to understand

感到困惑；摸不著頭腦

The teacher scratched her head over Ella's unusual answer to the maths problem.

Scientists are scratching their heads over why the birds changed their migration route.

scratch the surface

idiom

to deal with or understand only a small part of a subject or problem, leaving most of it still to be explored

觸及皮毛；僅觸及表面

The two-hour lecture only scratched the surface of the history of Chinese medicine.

Our investigation has barely scratched the surface of what went wrong at the factory.

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

idiom

used to describe a situation where two people help each other in return for mutual benefit

互相幫忙；互相利用；互惠合作

The two politicians had an unspoken understanding — you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

In this industry, deals are often made on a you-scratch-my-back basis between business owners.

from scratch

idiom

starting from the very beginning with no advantage or with basic ingredients, rather than using something already prepared

從零開始；從頭做起；自製

Noa built the wooden bookshelf from scratch, using only raw planks and nails.

Salma prefers to bake cakes from scratch instead of using a boxed mix.

up to scratch

idiom

reaching the required standard or level of quality that is expected

達到標準；符合要求

The hotel room was clean, but the service was not up to scratch for a five-star hotel.

Kofi practised for weeks to bring his piano playing up to scratch before the recital.

scratch your head (over something)

idiom

To think very hard about something that is difficult to understand or explain.

百思不解

Mia scratched her head over the confusing math problem.

Why did the computer crash? Brian scratched his head for hours.

scratch the surface (of something)

idiom

To only begin to deal with or understand a small part of a larger issue or topic.

僅觸及皮毛

The report only scratched the surface of the pollution problem.

In our short visit, we just scratched the surface of Tokyo's culture.

you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours

idiom

Used to describe a situation where two people help each other, often in a way that may be unfair to others.

互相幫忙

The two politicians had a you-scratch-my-back agreement on funding.

In business, it's often a case of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

scratch — 名詞

scratch — 形容詞

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

介系詞搭配