scare up
verbEtymology Figurative sense US from 1846.
1
To frighten (an animal, especially a game animal) into appearing from cover.
- Soon after, we scare up a flock of black ducks.1881, Henry David Thoreau, Early Spring in Massachusetts:
- 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:
1 more example
- 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.
- “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:
- Scare me up some gargle, will you?1990, Miller's Crossing, 01:25:07
3 more examples
- 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:
- 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:
- “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:
- Related terms
- beat the bushes