scramble eggs

The chef uses a whisk to scramble eggs in a bowl.

Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To prepare eggs by beating them and cooking them in a pan with butter or oil, stirring constantly until they form soft, irregular curds: "scramble eggs" refers to the specific cooking technique of making scrambled eggs.
   • To mix or jumble things together in a confused or disordered way: This metaphorical meaning applies to any situation where items are mixed without order.

Usage Examples

• Literal cooking:
  • I usually scramble eggs for breakfast every morning. (I cook eggs by beating and stirring them in a pan.)
  • She learned to scramble eggs when she was ten years old. (She acquired the skill of making scrambled eggs.)
• Figurative mixing:
  • The report seemed to scramble eggs of facts and opinions. (The report mixed facts and opinions in a confusing way.)

Advanced Usage

• "to scramble eggs with something": to incorporate additional ingredients into beaten eggs before cooking.

  • He likes to scramble eggs with cheese and herbs. (He adds cheese and herbs to the eggs while cooking them.)

• "to scramble eggs for a crowd": to prepare scrambled eggs in large quantities, often for a group.

  • The chef had to scramble eggs for fifty guests at the hotel buffet. (The chef prepared large amounts of scrambled eggs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scrambled eggs (noun phrase): the final dish resulting from scrambling eggs.

  • I ordered scrambled eggs with toast for lunch. (The cooked dish of scrambled eggs.)

• Scrambler (noun): a device or person that scrambles something, such as a signal or eggs.

  • The kitchen gadget is a handy egg scrambler. (A tool used to scramble eggs.)

Synonyms

• Beat eggs: to mix eggs vigorously before cooking.
• Stir-fry eggs: a method similar to scrambling but often with higher heat and more oil.
• Jumble: to mix in a confused way (figurative use).

Phrasal Verbs

• Scramble up: to mix or throw into disorder.
  • The strong wind scrambled up all the papers on the desk. (The wind mixed the papers chaotically.)

Related Idioms

• Scramble for something: to struggle or compete eagerly to obtain something.
  • The children scrambled for the candy that fell on the floor. (They competed to grab the candy.)
• Scramble to do something: to act quickly and with difficulty to achieve something.
  • He had to scramble to finish the report on time. (He rushed and struggled to complete it.)