scrap

Related to scrap: scrape

on the scrap heap

Among other unwanted or unused things. Typically used after the verbs "throw" or "toss." It was disheartening to have something that took up so much of my time and energy end up on the scrap heap, but that's just the nature of the industry. It felt like I'd been thrown on the scrap heap after Janice left me.
See also: heap, on, scrap

table scrap

A piece of food left over from a meal. Don't give the dog another table scrap, I don't want him to get sick. We spend all day cooking their food, and all we get to eat are their table scraps.
See also: scrap, table

throw (someone or something) on the scrap heap

To completely discard someone or something that is unwanted, especially in an unceremonious way. The phrase implies that the thing being discarded is being treated as worthless, completely irredeemable, or not worth fixing. The entire design is in danger of getting thrown on the scrap heap if we can't solve the overheating issue. Fred's worked here for 30 years and they just throw him on the scrap heap like that? That ain't right.
See also: heap, on, scrap, throw
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the ˈscrap heap

(informal) no longer wanted or considered useful: With the closure of the factory, thousands of workers have been thrown on the scrap heap.
See also: heap, on, scrap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • on the scrap heap
  • the hang of
  • the hang of (something)
  • the upper hand
  • upper hand
  • when you've seen one (something), you've seen them all
  • when you've seen, heard, etc. one, you've seen, heard, etc. them all
  • all the difference in the world
  • be along
  • will be along
References in periodicals archive
As to the issues that dealer of scrap aluminum are dealing with, Alan Alpert with Alpert and Alpert, Los Angeles, said that a value-added tax on exports could have a great impact on the demand for scrap.
Yellow flag: after several years of scrap markets gaining at stock car speed, the brake pedal may finally be tapped in late 2006
Options available for re-introduction of roll and loose scrap. Refeed rates to 1200 lb/hr on extruders from 2.5- to 8-in.
Recycling systems
New Clean Room Granulator for medical scrap has a negative-pressure enclosure to contain dust.
Recycling & scrap reclaim
Even though much of Chinas steel is produced with blast furnaces, rather than 100-percent-scrap-consuming electric arc furnaces, raw materials buyers representing Chinas mills have spanned the globe this decade seeking melting units whether iron ore, pig iron or scrap for their new furnaces.
Extreme conditions: ferrous markets have been on the type of wild ride sought after by extreme athletes
Scrap at the Customer--Customers may reject parts due to poor mechanical properties (tensile strength or ductility issues).
6 Steps to reducing inclusion defects
Much as with his scrap business, Randy started the roll-off company with a modest investment--one roll-off truck and one dump truck--but with large goals.
Lessons learned: Randy Castriota shows a willingness to learn as he establishes a first-generation scrap company
Ferrous scrap dealers have been among those amazed at the booming Chinese steel industry, and they have helped adjust scrap flows to supply what is now the world's largest steel producing nation (by far).
Dollar days: metals market watchers believe high pricing for scrap metals is likely to continue in 2006
Ground rubber reuse is one of the hugest markets for scrap tires, consuming more than 28 million tires in 2003.
Fuel and ground rubber applications spur scrap tire use
Trends now indicate that scrap industry consolidation is no longer likely to continue, said Pflaum.
Gaining insight into ferrous raw material trends. (2002 AFS Ferrous Charge Materials Conference)
O'Brien Recycling, established in 1997, is a full-service scrap metal recycler handling mainly prompt industrial scrap.
Cozzi Group strikes alliance in Chicago
Steelmakers and other consumers of iron and steel scrap have been running their furnaces full-time in 2004, helping fuel demand and pricing for steel scrap.
A boom year: metals prices have stayed aloft throughout 2004, benefitting demo contractors and other generators
Expanding markets now consume four out of five scrap tires, according to a report by the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Report shows 80% of waste tires are not wasted, stockpiles dwindling
For example, a large, busy foundry may not want to take the time to minimize core scrap rate.
Examining Key Variables of a Coldbox Coremaking Operation
Mill buyers and ferrous scrap recyclers alike may be wondering if the ferrous scrap trading range is beginning to narrow a little bit after a very volatile run through 2005 and parts of 2006.
Straight and narrow
At the beginning of the production line was a pile of gypsum derived from scrap drywall.
Nourishing a market: a WasteCap Wisconsin project recycles gypsum drywall into fertilizer