Dictionary

scare up en · VERB

Etymology

Figurative sense US from 1846.

Meanings

1. To frighten (an animal, especially a game animal) into appearing from cover.
   • They ranged along abreast of the Snark on either side, pouncing upon the flying-fish her forefoot scared up. 1913, Jack London, The Cruise of the "Snark", published 2008, unnumbered page:
   • Soon after, we scare up a flock of black ducks. 1881, Henry David Thoreau, Early Spring in Massachusetts:
   • In September, Henry walked Emerson's frequent route, Hosmer's-Goose Pond-Walden, and viewed the pond from the hill on the north side with the sawed pine stump atop, scaring up black ducks. 2004, William Barksdale Maynard, Walden Pond, page 105:
2. (figuratively) To find or procure (something), especially something not easily found or procured, and especially while relying on chance to provide the means.
   • “With the current budget crunch and the Fingertip case inactive, I couldn’t scare up much enthusiasm.” 2005, Stephen J. Cannell, Cold Hit, page 367:
   • “By the way,” said his friend, “let’s go over into Leopoldstadt, and see if we can’t scare up a sleigh for a little turn in the suburbs.” 1881, William Dean Howells, A Modern Instance, page 185:
   • Now, whenever he's in Nashville scaring up clients and I'm there scaring up stories, we hit the hillbilly circuit. 2004, Michael Streissguth, Voices of the Country: Interviews With Classic Country Performers, page 80:
   • Gil also scared up other part-time jobs while in high school—delivering gas canisters and playing solo piano at tea time at the elegant Hotel Stockton. 2003, Stephanie Stein Crease, Gil Evans: Out of the Cool: His Life and Music, page 6:
   • Scare me up some gargle, will you? 1990, Miller's Crossing, 01:25:07

Forms

Relateds

beat the bushes

Synonyms

flush out · flush · drive

Translations (13)

sv skrämma upp (to frighten an animal) · ru раздобы́ть (to find or get something difficult) · de aufscheuchen (to frighten an animal) · de zusammenkriegen (to find or get something difficult) · pl wypłaszać (to frighten an animal) · ru отыска́ть (to find or get something difficult) · pl skołować (to find or get something difficult) · pl wypłoszyć (to frighten an animal) · pl skombinować (to find or get something difficult) · sv skrämma ut (to frighten an animal) · pl kombinować (to find or get something difficult) · de auftreiben (to find or get something difficult) · sv skrämma fram (to frighten an animal)