scrap of paper

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small, often torn or leftover piece of paper, usually used for a quick note.

   Grammar: Countable: a scrap of paper, two scraps of paper.

   Patterns

   • write something on a scrap of paper

   She wrote her phone number on a scrap of paper.

   I found a scrap of paper in my pocket with a shopping list on it.

   He tore a scrap of paper from the notebook to leave a message.

2. 2nounsingularfigurative

   Something such as an agreement that has no real force because nobody honors it.

   Grammar: Usually singular: the contract was only a scrap of paper.

   Patterns

   • be nothing but a scrap of paper

   Without anyone to enforce it, the promise was just a scrap of paper.

   He called the treaty a scrap of paper after it was broken.

Word forms

Common combinations

jot something on a scrap of paper

He jotted the address on a scrap of paper.

a crumpled scrap of paper

A crumpled scrap of paper lay under the desk.

tear off a scrap of paper

Tear off a scrap of paper and write your name.

just a scrap of paper

Without a signature, the note is just a scrap of paper.

a torn scrap of paper

A torn scrap of paper held the only clue.

Synonyms and how they differ

scrap

Scrap is shorter and can refer to any small leftover piece, not only paper.

slip of paper

A slip of paper is a small neat strip, often cut deliberately, while a scrap may be torn or leftover.

note

A note is something written down for a purpose, whereas a scrap of paper describes the physical piece.

Opposites

Word family

scrap noun

a small leftover piece

scrap verb

to throw away or cancel

scrappy adjective

made of odds and ends, or fierce and determined

Commonly confused: scrap of paper or scrap paper?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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