English Meaning & Definitions
The loose skin at the back of a person's or animal's neck, often used in the context of grabbing or lifting someone forcibly.
- “The bouncer grabbed the troublemaker by the scruff of the neck and threw him out of the club.”
- “She picked up the stray kitten gently by the scruff of the neck to move it to safety.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “scruff of the neck”.
The word 'scruff' is of uncertain origin, likely appearing in the late 18th century as a variant of 'scuff' or 'scuft,' possibly related to the Middle English 'scuft' meaning the back of the neck. It is often associated with the way a mother cat carries her kittens by the loose skin at the nape of the neck, a behavior known as 'scruffing.'
Think of a cat (a 'scruffy' kitten) being lifted by its mother; she grabs the loose skin at the back of the neck to keep it still.
Frequently Asked Questions About “scruff of the neck”
1. What is the meaning of “scruff of the neck” in English?
In English, scruff of the neck (idiom) is defined as: “The loose skin at the back of a person's or animal's neck, often used in the context of grabbing or lifting someone forcibly.”.
2. How do you use “scruff of the neck” in a sentence?
“The bouncer grabbed the troublemaker by the scruff of the neck and threw him out of the club.”
3. What are English synonyms of “scruff of the neck”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “scruff of the neck”?
The word 'scruff' is of uncertain origin, likely appearing in the late 18th century as a variant of 'scuff' or 'scuft,' possibly related to the Middle English 'scuft' meaning the back of the neck. It is often associated with the way a mother cat carries her kittens by the loose skin at the nape of the neck, a behavior known as 'scruffing.'
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