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from scratch
01
from the point at which something began
What is the origin of the idiom "from scratch" and when to use it?
The phrase "from scratch" originated as a cooking term, meaning to start a recipe using only basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs. It implies that the cook is making everything from the very beginning, rather than using a pre-made mix or other shortcuts. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to describe starting any sort of project or task with no prior preparation or assistance. It suggests that the person or team must start with the very basics and build up from there.
Example
Building a chopper from scratch requires specialized knowledge of motorcycle mechanics and design.
She didn't anticipate the hardness of learning a new language from scratch.
He enjoys making his own hamburgers from scratch, starting with grinding the beef himself.
The high-achieving entrepreneur built a successful business empire from scratch.
As pioneers, they built their homestead from scratch, clearing the land, constructing a log cabin, and planting crops to sustain their family.
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