scratch

from scratch from the very beginning, especially without utilizing or relying on any previous work for assistance.

☞ In certain sports, the scratch was originally the line or mark drawn to indicate the point from which competitors had to start a race unless they had been awarded an advantage and were able to start ahead of this line. So, a competitor starting from scratch would start from a position without any advantage. The expression up to scratch (see below) also comes from this sense of the noun scratch: a competitor who was up to scratch was of a good enough standard to start a race.

scratch a - and find a - an investigation of someone or something will soon reveal their true nature.

☞ The first version of this expression used in English, in the early 19th century, was a translation of a remark attributed to Napoleon: grattez le Russe et vous trouverez le Tartare, 'scratch the Russian and you will find the Tartar'.

1924George Bernard ShawSt Joan Scratch an Englishman and find a Protestant.

scratch your head

1 think hard in order to find a solution to something.

2 feel or express bewilderment. informal

scratch the surface

1 deal with a matter only in the most superficial way.

2 initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed.

up to scratch up to the required standard; satisfactory.

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours if you do me a favour, I will return it. proverb