The phrase "scare up" is spelled as /sker ʌp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. Its meaning is to find or collect something, often with difficulty or effort. The word "scare" in this phrase means to stir up or startle, while "up" refers to the completion of an action. When combined, "scare up" is used to describe the act of finding or gathering something by using a method that involves unpredictable results or effort. Despite its unusual spelling, "scare up" is a common idiom in the English language.
"Scare up" is a phrasal verb that is commonly used to describe the act of finding, gathering, or procuring something, typically in a haphazard or improvised manner. It is often used when searching for something that may be scarce, elusive, or difficult to obtain.
The term "scare up" can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it originated in American English. The word "scare" in this context implies the idea of searching intently or diligently, as if one is actively trying to frighten or scare away something in order to find what they are looking for. The word "up" is used to signify the successful discovery or retrieval of the desired item.
The act of "scaring up" something can involve various methods, such as rummaging through belongings, asking others for help or information, engaging in a thorough search, or even resorting to unconventional means to obtain what is needed. This phrase is often used colloquially and is particularly prevalent in informal speech or regional dialects.
For example, one might say, "I need to scare up some dinner for tonight" to imply that they need to find or gather food for their evening meal, often suggesting a resourceful or creative approach to obtaining it. Similarly, one might say, "We managed to scare up enough money to go on vacation" to indicate that they were able to gather or obtain sufficient funds for their intended trip, possibly with some effort or difficulty.
The phrase "scare up" is an idiomatic expression that originated in American English around the 19th century. Its etymology can be traced back to two different words:
1. Scare: The word "scare" comes from the Middle English word "skerren", which means "to frighten" or "to startle". It later evolved into "scaren" in Old Norse and "skerren" in Old High German, both of which had similar meanings. Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*skerran", which means "to jump" or "to leap".
2. Up: The word "up" originated from the Old English word "uppe", which meant "aloft" or "on high".