scrambling

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   Moving quickly and awkwardly, often using hands and feet, over rough ground or in a hurry.

   Grammar: Often followed by a direction: scrambling up the hill.

   Patterns

   • scrambling up something
   • scrambling over something

   The children were scrambling up the rocks to the lookout.

   He was scrambling over the fence when the dog barked.

2. 2verbintransitive

   Hurrying to do or get something in a disorganized way, usually competing or with little time.

   Grammar: Often with 'for' or an infinitive: scrambling for tickets, scrambling to finish.

   Patterns

   • scrambling for something
   • scrambling to do something

   Fans were scrambling for tickets as soon as they went on sale.

   We were scrambling to finish before the deadline.

3. 3noununcountabletechnical

   The activity of climbing over rough terrain using hands and feet, or the act of making a signal or message unreadable.

   Grammar: Uncountable noun: enjoy scrambling in the mountains.

   Scrambling in the mountains requires good balance.

   Signal scrambling prevents others from listening in.

Common combinations

scrambling for position

Candidates were scrambling for position before the vote.

scrambling to catch up

He was scrambling to catch up on homework.

scrambling up a slope

They were scrambling up a steep slope.

scrambling for cover

People were scrambling for cover when it rained.

Synonyms and how they differ

clambering

Climbing awkwardly using the hands, with no sense of hurry.

rushing

Moving fast without the awkward, struggling sense.

scurrying

Moving with quick small steps.

Word family

scramble verb

to move or climb hurriedly

scrambled adjective

mixed up; as in scrambled eggs

scrambler noun

a device or motorbike for rough ground

Commonly confused: scrambling or scribbling?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “scrambling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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