Bedeutung: and you scratch my back

eine Hand wäscht die andere

ratch Idiom

from scratch

from the very beginning He decided to build the house from scratch.

ratch

damage, wreck, trash Who ratched the gears on my bike? I can't shift into low!

scratch

remove from the list, cancel I saw the list of players on the team. I've been scratched.

scratch one

do something nice for someone in the hope that they will do something for you "You scratch my back and I

scratch the surface

barely begin, uncover only a few facts His first lecture on Stravinsky only scratched the surface.

scratch your head

feel confused, wonder who or why They're still scratching their heads about who assassinated Kennedy.

start from scratch

start from the beginning, go back to square one After the flood, we all had to start from scratch - to rebuild our lives.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

Idiom(s): You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

Theme: RECIPROCITY

You do a favor for me and I'll do a favor for you.; If you do something for me that I cannot do for myself, I will do something for you that you cannot do for yourself.
• I'll grab the box on the top shelf if you will creep under the table and pick up my pen. You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.
• Politicians are always saying to one another, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

scratch one's back

Idiom(s): scratch one's back

Theme: RECIPROCITY

to do a favor for someone in return for a favor done for you. (Informal.)
• You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.
• We believe that the mayor has been scratching the treasurer's back.

scratch around

Idiom(s): scratch around (for sth)

Theme: SEARCHING

to look here and there for something. (Informal.)
• Let me scratch around for a better bargain. Maybe I can come up with something you like.
• I'll scratch around for a week or two and see what I come up with.

not up to scratch

Idiom(s): not up to scratch AND not up to snuff

Theme: ADEQUACY

not adequate. (Informal.)
• Sorry, your paper isn't up to scratch. Please do it over again.
• The performance was not up to snuff.

make sth from scratch

Idiom(s): make sth from scratch

Theme: CREATION

to make something by starting with the basic ingredients.(Informal.)
• We made the cake from scratch, using no prepared ingredients.
• I didn't have a ladder, so I made one from scratch.

up to scratch

Idiom(s): up to snuff AND up to scratch

Theme: SATISFACTORY

as good as is required; meeting the minimum requirements. (Slang.)
• Sorry, Tom. Your performance isn't up to snuff You'll have to improve or find another job.
• My paper wasn't up to scratch, so I got an F.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

You help me and I'll help you.

Handwriting like chicken scratch

If your handwriting is very hard to read, it is like chicken scratch.

from scratch|from|scratch

adv. phr., informal With no help from anything done before; from the beginning; from nothing. Dick built a radio from scratch. In sewing class, Mary already knew how to sew a little, but Jane had to start from scratch.
Compare: FROM THE GROUND UP.

put one's money on a scratched horse|horse|money|p

v. phr., informal To bet on a certain failure; to gamble without a chance of winning. You bet on the New York Mets to win the World Series? Why put your money on a scratched horse?
Compare: STACK THE CARDS.

scratch around for|scratch

v. phr. To search randomly for something. If you scratch around for a more reliable used car, maybe you'll feel more confident on the road.

scratch one's back|back|scratch

v. phr., informal To do something kind and helpful for someone or to flatter him in the hope that he will do something for you. Usually used in the expression "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." Mary asked Jean to introduce her to her brother. Jean said, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

scratch the surface|scratch|surface

v. phr. To learn or understand very little about something.

Usually used with a limiting adverb (as "only", "hardly"). We thought we understood Africa but when we made a trip there we found we had only scratched the surface. High school students have only scratched the surface of their subjects, and even after college graduation, they still find there is much more to learn.

up to par|par|scratch|snuff|up|up to|up to scratch

1. In good or normal health or physical condition. I have a cold and don't feel up to par. The boxer is training for the fight but he isn't up to scratch yet. 2. or up to the mark As good as usual; up to the usual level or quality. The TV program was not up to par tonight. John will have to work hard to bring his grades up to snuff.
Compare: MEASURE UP.

scratch one's head

scratch one's head
Express puzzlement or perplexity, think hard, as in They scratched their heads over this vexing question, but no one knew the answer. Although literally scratching one's head may simply betoken the fact that it itches, it also may indicate mental mystification or bewilderment. The term's figurative use dates from the first half of the 1900s.

scratch someone's back

scratch someone's back
Do someone a favor in hopes that a favor will be returned. For example, I don't mind driving this time—she's scratched my back plenty of times. It also is put as you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, as in If you do the laundry I'll do the cooking—you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. This idiom was first recorded in 1704.