The phrase "came up scratch" is often used to describe a situation where things didn't go as planned or someone failed to achieve their goal. The word scratch is spelled as /skrætʃ/ in IPA transcription. The 's' at the beginning is pronounced as an unvoiced 's', followed by a 'k' sound made by the combination of the 'c' and 'h'. The 'a' is pronounced with a short 'æ', and the 't' and 'ch' sounds are pronounced with a slight pause in between.
"Come up scratch" is an idiom that is often used in casual conversation to describe a situation where someone's performance or effort fell short of expectations, particularly in a competition or specific task. The phrase carries a negative connotation, indicating disappointment or failure to meet a desired standard.
In a more literal sense, "come up scratch" refers to the practice of measuring or evaluating a physical object's condition by scratching its surface. When an item is scratched, its true quality or defects may be revealed, and this can lead to disappointment if the item was expected to be flawless.
Additionally, the idiom can be used to convey the sense of lacking preparation or readiness. For example, if someone was unprepared for an exam or an important presentation and did not perform well as a result, they could be said to have come up scratch.
To summarize, "come up scratch" denotes disappointment, failure, or falling short of expectations in various contexts, such as competitions, evaluations, or personal performances. It implies a lack of readiness, preparation, or an unexpected revelation of flaws.