Scratch off To remove something from a surface by rubbing with a sharp edge or tool. While in the parking lot, she scratched off the $30 ticket and found she won the $100,000 prize.

Scratch out (1) To erase or delete something by crossing it out, drawing a line through it, etc. His name was scratched out from the list. She scratched out the incorrect answer and wrote the right one. The serial number on the firearm was scratched out to make it untraceable.

Scratch out (2) To barely achieve something, usually with great effort or difficulty. Despite the injuries, the team managed to scratch out a victory in the final minutes.

Scratch out (3) To be removed or withdrawn from something right before the start. The horse got really sick and had to be scratched out of the race.