scratch // verb, noun

■ verb

IDIOMS

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

used to say that if sb helps you, you will help them, even if this is unfair to others

■ noun

IDIOMS

from scratch

without any previous preparation or knowledge:

The prototype was designed and built from scratch in just one month.

(be/come) up to scratch; (bring sb/sth) up to scratch

as good as sth/sb should be; satisfactory:

His work simply isn't up to scratch.

Our products are good, but we need to bring our customer service up to scratch.

• budgetary control
• buffer
• buffer stock
• bug
• build
• builder
• building
• building blocks
• building code
• building permit
• building regulation
• building society
• build-to-order
• build-to-stock
• build-up
• built
• built-in
• built to flip
• built to last
• bulge-bracket
• bulk
• bulk cargo
• bulk carrier
• bulk cash
• bulk discount