Scrounge up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈskɹaʊndʒ/ /ˈəp

SKROWNJ-uhp

UK

skɹˈaʊndʒ/ /ˈʌp

skrownj-UP

Definition

To find, collect, or obtain something, usually money or items, with some difficulty or effort, often when resources are low.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and conversational; often used when someone manages to get something despite limited means. Common collocations: 'scrounge up some cash', 'scrounge up enough food'. Suggests improvisation or effort. Not appropriate for formal writing.

• Spanish: conseguir (con esfuerzo) - reunir (con dificultad)
• Portuguese (BR): arranjar (com dificuldade) - conseguir (com esforço)
• Portuguese (PT): arranjar (com dificuldade) - conseguir (com esforço)
• Chinese (Simplified): 想办法弄到 - 东拼西凑
• Chinese (Traditional): 想辦法弄到 - 東拼西湊
• Hindi: जुगाड़ना - बड़ी मुश्किल से जुटाना
• Arabic: تدبّر (بصعوبة) - جمع (بجهد)
• Bengali: জোগাড় করা - খুঁজে বের করা
• Russian: достать - раздобыть
• Japanese: かき集める - 工面する
• Vietnamese: kiếm được - gom góp
• Korean: 어렵게 구하다 - 어렵게 마련하다
• Turkish: bir şekilde bulmak - toparlamak
• Urdu: اکٹھا کرنا - مشکل سے حاصل کرنا
• Indonesian: mengumpulkan - mencari-cari

Example Sentences

I need to scrounge up some change for the bus.

basic

She managed to scrounge up enough food for dinner.

basic

Can you scrounge up a pen for me?

basic

We managed to scrounge up enough chairs for everyone at the party.

natural

I had to scrounge up last-minute gifts for my friends.

natural

He always finds a way to scrounge up some extra cash when he needs it.

natural