The phrase "scraped by" is often used to describe narrowly avoiding a difficult situation or achieving something through a struggle. The spelling of the word "scraped" is /skreɪpt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The 'scr' cluster is pronounced as /skr/ followed by the long 'a' sound /eɪ/ and finally the 'p' is pronounced /p/. The word "by" is spelled /baɪ/ with a long 'i' sound in the end. To remember the spelling, it is useful to break the word into its syllables - scrap-ed-by.
"Scraped by" is a phrase commonly used to describe a situation where someone narrowly manages to accomplish or succeed in something, often with difficulty or with minimal resources. It refers to a close and sometimes desperate escape from failure or defeat.
In essence, it implies that the individual barely met the required standards, achieved the minimum expectations, or reached a certain level of success. It often suggests that the person struggled and persevered through challenging circumstances or obstacles to achieve the desired outcome.
The phrase can be applied to various contexts, such as academics, sports, finances, or other personal achievements. For instance, in academics, a student who "scraped by" would have just obtained the necessary grades to pass the course, but only after putting a significant amount of effort into their studies. In sports, a team that "scraped by" would have won the match or competition with a close margin of victory, possibly through sheer determination and perseverance rather than skill.
Overall, "scraped by" captures the notion of narrowly escaping failure or achieving minimal success, often through challenging circumstances. It conveys the idea that even though the outcome was not ideal or easy, the individual managed to accomplish their goal.
The expression "scraped by" is often used to describe a situation in which someone barely manages to succeed or narrowly avoids failure.
In terms of etymology, "scrape" in this context refers to a risky or difficult maneuver. It originates from the 16th century Middle English word "scrāpe", which means "to draw or drag something over a surface". The idea behind it is that, in order to succeed or avoid a particular outcome, one may have to traverse a challenging or precarious path.
The use of "by" in the phrase "scraped by" suggests a close proximity or a hair's breadth. It signifies that the person just barely managed to avoid a negative outcome or narrowly achieved their goal.
Combining these elements, the phrase "scraped by" conveys the notion of navigating a difficult situation or narrowly escaping failure with only a minimal margin of success.