scrag

[ skrag ]

noun

1. a lean or scrawny person or animal.
2. the lean end of a neck of veal or mutton.
3. Slang. the neck of a human being.

verb (used with object)

, scragged, scrag·ging.

1. Slang. to wring the neck of; hang; garrote.
2. Metallurgy. to test (spring steel) by bending.

scrag

/ skræɡ /

noun

1. a thin or scrawny person or animal
2. the lean end of a neck of veal or mutton
3. informal.
   the neck of a human being

verb

1. informal.
   to wring the neck of; throttle

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrag¹

First recorded in 1535–45; obscurely akin to crag ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrag¹

C16: perhaps variant of crag ; related to Norwegian skragg, German Kragen collar

Example Sentences

I certainly think any peace settlement that came about would result in Ukraine losing a lot of its territory and really being scragged as a country.

From Salon

For this she was put to scragging, second-picking the bushes that had a few inferior puffs left on the twigs by swifter hands than hers.

From Literature

Petri takes it but he’s scragged and knocks on on halfway.

From The Guardian

He steps and goes, but is well scragged on halfway by Denton.

From The Guardian

After all, eggs hatched at 40 plus, like mine, represent the scrag end of the market.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• execute
• hoist
• stretch
• swing