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# scruff

noun (scruff, a scruff)

«scruff» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The scruff (of the neck) is the loose skin at the back of an animal's neck; mother cats carry kittens by it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#m1)
2. A scruff is an untidy, dirty-looking person (informal, UK). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#m2)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and science, mother cats and dogs carry their babies by the scruff; «by the scruff of the neck» means grabbing someone roughly by the back of the collar. In stories, a scruff is a messy child. Phrases: «by the scruff of the neck», «a little scruff».

### Examples

- The mother cat carried her kitten by the scruff. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x1)
- He grabbed the puppy by the scruff to stop it running into the road. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x2)
- The teacher took the bully by the scruff of the neck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x3)
- Go and wash — you look like a scruff! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x4)
- Don't pick up an adult cat by the scruff; it can hurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x5)
- The lioness lifted her cub gently by the scruff. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x6)
- Tom done nothing but take the fellow by the scruff o' the neck and the waistband of his corduroys, and fling him into the canal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/#x7)

### Note

Usually in the phrase «by the scruff of the neck». Adjective: «scruffy» = untidy, messy. Calling someone «a scruff» is informal and a bit rude.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «scruff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scruff/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«scruff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/scruff.html) on Mova free.