scrag end

English

Alternative forms

• scrag-end

Noun

scrag end (countable and uncountable, plural scrag ends)

1. A cheap primal cut of lamb or mutton that comes from the forepart of the neck and is typically used in soups or stews.
2. The scraps of something; the leftover bits.
   • 1984, Rory Barnes, The Bomb-monger's Daughter, page 198:

     By classifying van Niekerk's food on a par with scrag ends of cheese and half-tins of sardines, we managed to eat a surprising number of omelets of a surprising number of varieties: caviare omelet, grouse omelet, roll-mop omelet, almost anything that could be chopped up and served between folds of egg was added to the list .

   • 2003, Antiquarian Book Monthly - Volume 30, page 14:

     Perhaps they did not get rid of scrag ends, the damaged notes that are kept in bank tills.

3. The less desirable part of something.
   • 1936, Elizabeth Maury Coombs, Cardinal Sins, page 27:

     He makes strong rope and may you be hanged in the scrag end of it!

   • 1992, Jody Lynn Nye, The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern, page 101:

     The Lord Holders send the scrag ends of their own herds for the dragons' herds.

   • 2014, Peter Hennessy, The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945, page 2010:

     The scrag end of Europe!

4. A person who is old and weak or useless.
   • 1945, Harry C. Jones, Ben Jones: a great co-operator : his life according to his son, page 122:

     One of his favourite " tips " to me was " Pay for brains, my boy, let the others have the scrag ends, and always let your vehicles be an advertisement to your Stores "

   • 2016, Paul Finch, The Incident at North Shore:

     "Don't tell me," Lewton said through his open window. “Pugh wants us to pick up the scrag ends?”