scratching out

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.

Just 10% of Kenyan workers have formal jobs, meaning millions, especially young people, are scratching out a living on the edges of the economy, according to the World Bank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 9, 2025

“My future life would flow out of this crucial choice because, once I had this precious instrument in my hands, I started scratching out three chords over which I sang snatches of my own melodies.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2024

“We call it scratching out a line,” McNeill said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023

If you go to the main Hamburg train station, then you’ll see a lot of those people scratching out their existence.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2023

“Everyone else gets to carve theirs,” I said, pointing to all the other kids who were busy scratching out big evil eyes and teeth with their unsharp baby knives.

From "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" by Jack Gantos