scuffle Definition
- 1a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters
- 2to fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters
Using scuffle: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scuffle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police had to break up a scuffle between the two groups.
Example
He scuffled with the intruder before calling the police.
Example
The children were scuffling over the toy.
scuffle Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using scuffle
Example
The candidates were scuffling for position in the upcoming election.
Example
He scuffled his feet as he walked down the hallway, making a scraping sound.
Example
The injured hiker had to scuffle along the trail to make it back to the campsite.
Phrases with scuffle
scuffle hoe
a hoe used for weeding and cultivating soil
Example
The gardener used a scuffle hoe to remove weeds from the garden.
Example
The partygoers were doing the scuffle dance to the beat of the music.
a game played on a board with a scoring area and discs that are slid across the board to score points
Example
The retirement home residents enjoyed playing scuffle board in their free time.
Origins of scuffle
from Middle English 'skuffen', meaning 'to push or shove', of Scandinavian origin
Summary: scuffle in Brief
A 'scuffle' [ˈskʌf.əl] is a brief and confused fight or struggle that takes place at close quarters. It can also refer to the act of fighting or struggling in such a manner. Examples include 'The police had to break up a scuffle between the two groups' and 'He scuffled with the intruder before calling the police.' The term extends into phrases like 'scuffle for position,' denoting fierce competition, and idioms like 'scuffle one's feet,' implying dragging or shuffling while walking.