scrounge

/skraundʤ/
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Thân thiện
scrounge

The puppy scrounges for fallen crumbs under the kitchen table.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
    • To obtain something, typically of little value, by asking or begging for it in a persistent or opportunistic way, often without intending to return or pay for it.
    • To search for and collect something, especially food or useful items, from whatever is available, often from discarded sources.
Usage and Examples

  • Verb (to obtain by asking/begging):

    • He always tries to scrounge a free meal from his colleagues.
    • Can I scrounge a pen from you? Mine just ran out of ink.

  • Verb (to search for and collect):

    • The pigs were scrounging for food in the forest.
    • He managed to scrounge enough spare parts to fix the old radio.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • The word often carries a mildly negative connotation, implying laziness, opportunism, or a reluctance to pay one's own way. However, it can also be used humorously or affectionately among friends.
  • It can describe a resourceful, if somewhat undignified, way of surviving or acquiring necessities, especially in difficult circumstances.
  • "to scrounge around/off/from": These prepositions are commonly used with the verb.
    • He's always scrounging around for loose change. (Searching)
    • She scrounged a lift off her neighbor. (Obtained from)
    • Stop scrounging from your little brother! (Obtaining from)
Variants and Related Words
  • Scrounger (noun): A person who habitually scrounges.
    • He has a reputation as a bit of a scrounger.
Synonyms
  • Cadge: To ask for or obtain something to which one is not strictly entitled. (Very close synonym)
  • Bum (informal): To ask for something as a gift or loan.
  • Mooch (informal): To beg or scrounge.
  • Forage: To search widely for food or provisions. (More neutral, often without the negative connotation of begging)
Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions
  • Scrounge up (or scrounge together): To manage to find or collect something, especially with difficulty.
    • We need to scrounge up enough money for bus fare.
    • I'll try to scrounge together some chairs for the meeting.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • "On the scrounge": Actively engaged in trying to obtain things by scrounging.
    • He's always on the scrounge for free tickets.
scrounge

The puppy scrounges for fallen crumbs under the kitchen table.

Verb
  1. obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling
    • he is always shnorring cigarettes from his friends
  2. collect or look around for (food)

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