scrape the bottom of the barrel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To settle for a poor option due to a lack or unavailability of anything more favorable.

Pronunciation

en-au-scrape the bottom of the barrel.ogg

Word forms

scrape the bottom of the barrel scrapes the bottom of the barrel scraping the bottom of the barrel scraped the bottom of the barrel

Etymology

Derived from the historical practice in the early European history of storing food in barrels; when food supplies ran low, only what was on the very bottom of the barrel remained, and had to be removed by scraping. Oil in a barrel has different fractions with a different weight. The heavier fractions like asphaltum sink to the bottom of the barrel and can be difficult to scrape from the bottom.

Synonyms

scrape the barrel

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