Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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verb
To settle for a poor option due to a lack or unavailability of anything more favorable.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal
Synonyms: scrape the barrel
Antonyms: none provided
History
Derived from the historical practice in the early European history of storing food in barrels; when food supplies ran low, only what was on the very bottom of the barrel remained, and had to be removed by scraping. Oil in a barrel has different fractions with a different weight. The heavier fractions like asphaltum sink to the bottom of the barrel and can be difficult to scrape from the bottom.
Across languages
11 source translations are retained for this English entry.
