scruff

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jacks took the game by the scruff of the neck after England stuttered to 105-5 in the 13th over.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

"It just takes someone to grab this by the scruff of the neck and deal with this in the manner that it should be," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

No-one was inspiring a team that once again looked lost to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

You have to be sure you are never going to take your hand off the scruff of that cat's neck until you get it into the bathtub.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2024

“Well? What happened after my mother busted into Mirror Tech and grabbed me up by the scruff of the neck?”

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste