scrape the bottom of the barrel

scrape the bottom of the barrel

To use or select from the last or worst of the resources or options from a particular range or set, even if they are not satisfactory, because there are no others to choose from. We used to get hundreds of qualified candidates, but lately I feel like we've been scraping the bottom of the barrel with the applicants we bring in. A: "These were the best you could get?" B: "Sorry, the selection was already picked through, so I really had to scrape the bottom of the barrel even to find those."
See also: barrel, bottom, of, scrape
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

scrape the bottom of the barrel

to select from among the worst; to choose from what is left over. You've bought a bad-looking car. You really scraped the bottom of the barrel to get that one. The worker you sent over was the worst I've ever seen. Send me another—and don't scrape the bottom of the barrel.
See also: barrel, bottom, of, scrape
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

scrape the bottom of the barrel

tv. to utilize the last or only things or people available, even if unsatisfactory. (see also bottom of the barrel.) They were really scraping the bottom of the barrel when they picked you.
See also: barrel, bottom, of, scrape
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

bottom of the barrel, scrape the

Obtain the last dregs, the least desirable remains. The sediment of wine was likened to the lowest, most despicable elements of society nearly two thousand years ago by Cicero. The metaphor remains current.
See also: bottom, of, scrape
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • bottom of the barrel, scrape the
  • scrape the barrel
  • be scraping the barrel
  • chosen
  • not up to scratch and not up to snuff
  • not up to snuff
  • snuff
  • be not up to scratch
  • be not up to snuff
  • not up to par
References in periodicals archive
There are a list of players who for different reasons saw their image scrape the bottom of the barrel on Merseyside.
Football Echo: Life after Anfield is easier for misfits; Just ask James and Heskey
Some of the Treuband's critics claim all the choice companies already have been snatched by German investors, leaving foreigners to scrape the bottom of the barrel. This accusation cuts deeply with German leaders including Economics Minister Juergen moellemann, perhaps sensitive that he's been asked by Bonn to go hat in hand to outsiders for help.
The new Germany