scramble
/'skræmbl/
Definition
Verb:
- To move or climb quickly and awkwardly, often using one's hands: To move with urgency or difficulty over rough ground or an obstacle.
- To mix or throw together in a hurried, disorderly manner: To combine things in a confused, jumbled way.
- To struggle or compete with others in a hurried, undignified way to obtain something: To engage in a disorderly and eager struggle for possession.
- To make (a transmitted signal or message) unintelligible by altering its frequency or code: To process electronic signals to prevent unauthorized understanding.
Noun:
- A difficult or hurried climb or movement: An act of moving or climbing over something quickly and with difficulty.
- A disorderly struggle or rush for something: A situation where people compete in a hurried, chaotic manner to get something.
Examples of Usage
Verb:
- She had to scramble over the rocks to reach the beach. (She moved quickly and awkwardly over the rocks.)
- I'll scramble some eggs for breakfast. (I'll mix and cook eggs quickly.)
- Shoppers scrambled to get the last items on sale. (Shoppers competed eagerly and chaotically for the items.)
- The pilot was scrambled to intercept the unidentified aircraft. (The pilot was ordered to take off immediately.)
Noun:
- It was a tough scramble to the top of the hill. (The climb to the hilltop was difficult and hurried.)
- There was a mad scramble for the best seats. (There was a chaotic rush to get the best seats.)
Advanced Usage
"Scramble to one's feet": To stand up quickly, often in a clumsy or hurried manner.
- He scrambled to his feet after tripping on the rug.
"Scrambled eggs": A dish where eggs are beaten and cooked until firm but soft.
- He ordered scrambled eggs and toast.
In military/aviation contexts: An emergency order for fighter pilots to take off immediately.
- The alert squadron was put on scramble status.
Variants and Related Words
- Scrambler (noun): A person or thing that scrambles. Also, a device for scrambling electronic signals.
- The radio scrambler made the conversation secure.
Synonyms
- Clamber (verb): To climb or move in an awkward way using both hands and feet.
- Jumble (verb): To mix things in a confused or disordered way.
- Rush (verb/noun): To move or act with great haste; a sudden quick movement.
- Tussle (noun): A vigorous struggle or scuffle.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Scramble for (something): To struggle or compete with others to get something.
- The children scrambled for the candy.
Scramble up: To climb up something quickly and awkwardly. To gather or collect things in a hasty, disorderly way.
- They scrambled up the steep bank.
- He scrambled up his notes before the meeting.
Related Idioms
"Scramble someone's brains": To confuse someone thoroughly.
- That complicated math problem scrambled my brains.
"In a scramble": In a state of hurried, disorderly activity.
- We were in a scramble to finish the project on time.
Noun
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rushing about hastily in an undignified way
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an unceremonious and disorganized struggle
Verb
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make unintelligible
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scramble the message so that nobody can understand it
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stir vigorously
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beat the egg whites
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beat the cream
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bring into random order
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climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
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to move hurriedly
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The friend scrambled after them
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