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scrap

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table scrap

A piece of food left over from a meal. Don't give the dog another table scrap, I don't want him to get sick. We spend all day cooking their food, and all we get to eat are their table scraps.

See also: scrap, table

on the scrap heap

also in the scrap heap

in a place for things that are not wanted any more Congress is threatening to throw the president's budget on the scrap heap.

Etymology: from the literal meaning of scrap heap (a pile of things that are no longer wanted)

See also: heap, on, scrap

throw somebody/something on the scrap heap

  (informal)

to get rid of someone or something that is not wanted or needed any more (usually passive) Many people over forty who can't find a job feel they've been thrown on the scrap heap.

See also: heap, on, scrap, throw