English idiom

from scratch

Register · Informal CEFR B1

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Figurative meaning

from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier

Why this phrase?

From a starting 'scratch' line in racing; figuratively means 'from nothing'.

Example

“She baked the cake from scratch using fresh ingredients.”

Dictionary details

Tags

beginning

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

back to basics

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

get the ball rolling

To start an activity or process.

in the early days

during the beginning stages of something

a whole new ball game

A completely different situation from before.

back to square one

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

come into play

to start to have an effect or become relevant

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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