scrape together (something)

to gather something that is not easily available, esp. money.

He managed to scrape together $20 for the train and came back home.

Many immigrants have difficulty scraping enough money together for the application.

Usage notes: also in the form scrape up something:

Somehow these families managed to scrape up the tuition fee.

Related vocabulary: scare up something

• do one better than
• do one better than someone
• do one better than something
• do-or-die
• door to door
• do own thing
• do part
• do proud
• dos and don'ts
• do share
• do someone any favours
• do someone a power of good
• do someone a world of good
• do someone dirt
• do someone proud
• do someone's bidding
• do someone's dirty work
• do someone's head in
• do someone the world of good
• do something by halves
• do something with eyes closed
• do something with one hand tied behind back
• do something with one hand tied behind your back
• do something with your eyes closed
• do stuff