Definition

Noun: 1. (Rugby) A method of restarting play where the forwards of each team bind together in a tightly packed formation with their heads down and arms interlocked; play restarts when the ball is thrown into the tunnel between the two opposing front rows, and each side competes to gain possession by hooking the ball backward with their feet. 2. (General) A disorderly or tightly packed crowd of people.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Rugby):
  • The referee awarded a penalty and ordered a scrum.
  • The team's dominance in the scrum was key to their victory.
• Noun (General):
  • After the concert, a scrum of fans waited at the stage door.
  • The politician was surrounded by a scrum of reporters.

Advanced Usage

• "Scrum down": (verb phrase, Rugby) To form or engage in a scrum.
  • The referee blew his whistle, and the players scrummed down.
• "Scrum half": (noun, Rugby) A player who feeds the ball into the scrum and is typically the link between the forwards and the backs.
  • The scrum half quickly passed the ball from the base of the scrum.

Variants and Related Words

• Scrummage: (noun) A less common variant of "scrum," primarily used in rugby contexts.
• Scrumcap: (noun) A padded headguard worn by rugby players, especially forwards in the scrum.

Synonyms

• (Rugby): Pack, set piece.
• (General): Throng, crowd, crush, huddle, melee.

Related Phrases

• Put in the scrum: (Rugby) The action of the scrum half throwing the ball into the tunnel of the scrum.
  • The hooker's job is to strike for the ball when it is put in the scrum.
• Win/Lose a scrum: (Rugby) To successfully gain or fail to gain possession of the ball in a scrum.
  • Our forwards managed to win the scrum against the run of play.

Related Idioms

• Like a rugby scrum: Used to describe any chaotic, pushing, and crowded situation.
  • The bargain sale was like a rugby scrum, with everyone fighting for the last item.

Noun

1. (rugby) the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball is thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession