Definition of the word scrape together

The origin of the phrase "scrape together" can be traced back to Middle English, with its first recorded usage appearing around the 14th century. During that time, "scrape" referred to the action of tearing off or separating something, often using a scraping or scratching motion. Over time, "scrape" came to mean other things as well, including the act of removing or collecting something by scraping it off a surface. This usage gave rise to the term "scrape together," which literally means to gather something that has been scattered or separated by scraping or digging. Interestingly, "together" in this context does not necessarily mean that the items being gathered are close to one another. Instead, it refers to the act of collecting them as a group, rather than leaving them scattered or dispersed. The phrase "scrape together" has become a common English idiom in modern times, used to describe the process of gathering or collecting resources or items that are not immediately available, often when funds or resources are limited. It can also be used figuratively to describe gathering support or resources for a project or cause. In summary, the expression "scrape together" has evolved over several centuries, from a simple action of scraping something off a surface to a broader term used to describe the process of collecting resources or items that may be scattered or dispersed.