1scratch 
/ˈskrætʃ/ verb
scratch·es; scratched; scratch·ing /ˈskrætʃ/ verb 1 a : to rub your skin with something sharp (such as your fingernails) especially in order to stop an itch [+ obj] ▪ Will you scratch my back for me? ▪ Scratching the itch only makes it worse. ▪ The dog scratched its ear. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Maybe it's time to scratch the/that itch to travel I've had since I was a kid. [=maybe it's time to satisfy the urge I've had to travel] [no obj] ▪ You shouldn't scratch. It'll just make your itch worse. — see also scratch someone's back (below)
b : to make a shallow and narrow cut in (your skin) with something sharp (such as fingernails, claws, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ The cat scratched me. ▪ Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars. [no obj] ▪ Careful, the cat will scratch.
c [no obj] : to rub a surface or object with something sharp or rough in a way that produces a harsh sound
▪ The dog was scratching at the door. 2 [+ obj] a : to make a line or mark in the surface of (something) by rubbing or cutting it with something rough or sharp
▪ Be careful not to scratch the table. ▪ Someone scratched the paint on my car.
b : to make (something, such as a line or letters) in the surface of something by using a stick, a sharp tool, etc.
▪ The little boy scratched lines in the dirt with a stick. ▪ They scratched their initials in the old bridge.
c : to write (something) in a quick and untidy way
▪ She scratched a note to herself on a napkin. 3 [+ obj] informal a : to decide not to do or continue with (something)
▪ We had to scratch our picnic plans because of the weather. ▪ We should go to the movies tonight. No, scratch [=forget] that. Let's rent a DVD instead.
b : to remove (someone) from the list of players who will be playing in a game
▪ She was scratched from the starting lineup.
b : to make a shallow and narrow cut in (your skin) with something sharp (such as fingernails, claws, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ The cat scratched me. ▪ Thorns scratched our legs as we climbed through the briars. [no obj] ▪ Careful, the cat will scratch.
c [no obj] : to rub a surface or object with something sharp or rough in a way that produces a harsh sound
▪ The dog was scratching at the door.
▪ Be careful not to scratch the table. ▪ Someone scratched the paint on my car.
b : to make (something, such as a line or letters) in the surface of something by using a stick, a sharp tool, etc.
▪ The little boy scratched lines in the dirt with a stick. ▪ They scratched their initials in the old bridge.
c : to write (something) in a quick and untidy way
▪ She scratched a note to herself on a napkin.
▪ We had to scratch our picnic plans because of the weather. ▪ We should go to the movies tonight. No, scratch [=forget] that. Let's rent a DVD instead.
b : to remove (someone) from the list of players who will be playing in a game
▪ She was scratched from the starting lineup.
scratch a living or US scratch out a living
: to earn barely enough money to live
▪ He scratched out a living as a farmer.
▪ He scratched out a living as a farmer.
scratch off [phrasal verb]
scratch (something) off or scratch off (something) 1 : to remove (something) from an object or surface by rubbing with a sharp edge or tool
▪ Scratch off the gray box on the ticket to see if you've won! ▪ She scratched the gum off her shoe with a stick. 2 : to draw a line through (something that is written down)
▪ He scratched his name off the list.
▪ Scratch off the gray box on the ticket to see if you've won! ▪ She scratched the gum off her shoe with a stick.
▪ He scratched his name off the list.
scratch out [phrasal verb]
scratch (something) out or scratch out (something) : to draw a line through (something that is written down)
▪ I scratched out the mistake.
▪ I scratched out the mistake.
scratch someone's back
informal : to do something that helps someone else but that is often wrong or difficult to do
▪ You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. [=if you do something to help me, I'll do something to help you]
▪ You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. [=if you do something to help me, I'll do something to help you]
scratch the surface
: to deal with or learn about only a small part of something
▪ If you think she only did it for the money, you haven't even scratched the surface. [=there are many other factors, reasons, etc., involved] ▪ There's so much to learn about this subject. I feel like I've only scratched the surface.
▪ If you think she only did it for the money, you haven't even scratched the surface. [=there are many other factors, reasons, etc., involved] ▪ There's so much to learn about this subject. I feel like I've only scratched the surface.
scratch your head
informal : to be confused about something : to think about something you do not understand
▪ His odd behavior left us all scratching our heads. [=we could not understand his odd behavior]
▪ His odd behavior left us all scratching our heads. [=we could not understand his odd behavior]
— scratch·er noun, plural scratch·ers [count]
▪ a long-handled back scratcher [=a device you can use to scratch your back]
▪ a long-handled back scratcher [=a device you can use to scratch your back]
