grub
To scavenge or in some way scrounge, typically for foodTo scavenge or in some way scrounge, typically for food.
» Tom's a money-grubbing opportunist.
CK · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
4 senses(transitive)To scavenge or in some way scrounge, typically for food.
(ambitransitive)To dig; to dig up by the roots; to root out by digging; often followed by up.
to grub up trees, rushes, or sedge
(dated, slang, transitive)To supply with food.
(dated, slang)To eat.
- search about busily
- ask for and get free; be a parasite
Examples
24 sentencesTom's a money-grubbing opportunist.
Their supply of grub was gone.
A raven is eating a grub.
What is the most delicious tasting grub?
June beetle grubs feed on plant roots.
deJunikäferlarven ernähren sich von Pflanzenwurzeln. — Vortarulo
Origin
From Middle English grubben, grobben, from Old English *grubbian, from Proto-West GermanicFrom Middle English grubben, grobben, from Old English *grubbian, from Proto-West Germanic *grubb-, from Proto-Germanic *grubb- (compare Middle Dutch grobben (“to scrape, scramble, grab”), Old High German grubilōn (“to dig, search”), German grübeln (“to meditate, ponder”)), from Proto-Germanic *grub- (“to dig”) (see *grabaną).
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Forms
grubs, grubbing, grubbed, grubbedPhrasal verbs
3 phrasal verbsSynonyms
4 synonymsWord family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle