The phrase "coming up to scratch" refers to improving or meeting a desired standard. The spelling of the word "scratch" is straightforward, with the sibilant /s/ sound followed by the velar fricative /k/ and a short vowel /æ/ sound. The pronunciation is written as /skrætʃ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The phrase likely originated from the idea of a line drawn on the ground to mark the starting point of a race, with horses required to place their front legs behind the scratch line to begin.
Coming up to scratch refers to reaching a required or acceptable standard, especially after falling short initially. The phrase is often used to describe someone's performance, abilities, or skills. When an individual is coming up to scratch, they are demonstrating improvement or progress in meeting the expected level of proficiency or competence.
Derived from the sport of boxing, where a line or scratch on the floor marks the distance a boxer must be positioned behind at the start of a bout, "coming up to scratch" implies that one is eager to display the necessary skills and capabilities demanded in a particular situation or task. It signifies a determination to rise to the occasion and fulfill the expectations or demands placed upon them.
In a broader context, the expression can also be applied to situations where an individual or group is required to meet a certain benchmark, standard, or expectation. It suggests that they are striving to reach the desired level of quality or performance, essentially "getting up to speed" or "getting on par" with what is required or anticipated.
Overall, "coming up to scratch" highlights the notion of making progress and improvement towards meeting predefined standards, whether it is in terms of skills, performance, or fulfilling certain expectations.