Pronunciation: [skɹˈe͡ɪps ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The word "scrapes up" is spelled using IPA phonetic transcription as /skreɪps ʌp/. The "s" in "scrapes" is pronounced as /sk/, while "c" is silent. The vowel sound is "ai" as in "day," and the "p" is pronounced as /p/. The word "up" is pronounced as /ʌp/, where the "u" is pronounced as the short "uh" sound, and the "p" is pronounced as /p/. In short, "scrapes up" is spelled phonetically as /skreɪps ʌp/.
Scrapes up is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of obtaining or gathering something with great effort and difficulty. It is often used in an informal context to describe a situation where someone manages to collect or accumulate a small amount of something, typically money or resources, through various means.
The term "scrapes up" can be compared to the action of scraping the bottom of a container to retrieve the last bit of its contents. Similarly, when someone scrapes up something, they are metaphorically extracting every possible resource from their surroundings in order to gather whatever they can.
This phrasal verb implies that the process is challenging and requires exertion or creativity to obtain the desired outcome. For example, a person might scrape up enough money to pay their bills by doing odd jobs, selling personal belongings, or borrowing from others. In these cases, the individual might face obstacles and setbacks, but their determination and resourcefulness allow them to collect the necessary funds.
Furthermore, "scrapes up" can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone manages to gather information, evidence, or support by diligently searching or investigating a situation. In this context, the individual might have to navigate through various obstacles or challenges to acquire the desired knowledge or assistance.
Overall, the term "scrapes up" denotes a process of collecting or accumulating something with difficulty, often involving ingenuity and perseverance to acquire limited resources or achieve a particular goal.
The word "scrapes up" is a relatively straightforward idiom with a clear etymology.
The term "scrape" originated from the Old Norse word "skrapa", which means "to scrape or scratch". In its literal sense, "scrape" refers to the act of removing or pulling something off a surface by rubbing or scraping it with a tool.
The addition of the word "up" in the idiom "scrapes up" suggests the action of gathering or collecting something, often in a meticulous or laborious fashion. It is likely an extension of the notion of physically scraping or gathering up loose scraps from a surface.
In summary, the etymology of "scrapes up" reflects the combination of "scrape", derived from Old Norse, and the preposition "up", indicating the act of collecting or gathering.
