February 10, 2006
scrap it
scrap it — stop talking about something
We often say “stop it” or “drop it”, if we don’t want somebody to continue talking about something. In the “lost” show, When Sawyer couldn’t stand Charlie’s talking, he said “scrap it“. (the phrase is often used to drop an idea or a plan, see comments)
I am Chinese. Correct my English. 
teklog said,
February 10, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Perhaps this is a local colloquialism for Sawyer? I don’t use “scrap it,” but I do use “drop it” or “stop it” quite often; though, I would competely understand someone if they said “scrap it.” By the way, “LOST” is a great show to watch! π I’m hooked every Wednesday night!
DPAdams said,
February 11, 2006 at 12:49 am
Hey.. I stumbled on your blog. This is a great idea. I am also studying a foreign language, and this is a great place to check. I will try to help as much as possible. Keep posting.
By the way, “scrap it” would not be considered a “normal” way to say “stop it.” I agree, it may be a local usage, but it would be understood. Ususally if you want someone to stop talking about something, “drop it” would be a better choice than “stop it.”
For instance, if a married couple is arguing about the husband always leaving the toilet seat up, the husband may say “Drop it!” if she continues to complain to him about it.
Usually “drop it” is considered to be somewhat confrontational or agressive in communicating your desire to cease discussion on a topic.
Erin Julian said,
February 11, 2006 at 11:16 am
“Scrap It ” is also another way of telling someone to discard an item or throw it away into the garbage. This may just be some Australian slang but I’ve also heard it in Canada.
When I have heard people say “drop it” it normally means to drop the conservation or to stop talking about it.
Hope this helps…
karthiksn said,
February 11, 2006 at 6:52 pm
U can even consider it when someone gives u an idea and u say just “scrap it”. Here it will mean just discard it
Rishi said,
February 11, 2006 at 9:19 pm
I use “scrap it” to refer to an idea or inanimate object (as karthiksn and Erin Julian noted), as in “that’s stupid – scrap that” or “I scrapped that whole system.”
However, ‘stop it’ and particularly ‘drop it’ I use to ask someone to stop speaking about something, as in “Can you just drop that now?”
I’m from Canada, in case it matters.
Saar Drimer said,
February 11, 2006 at 9:26 pm
I concur with the commentators… I’m used to the term “… got scrapped” as in a plan or project. I’ve never heard it being used as a way to shut somebody up… (unless they are describing a plan or a project, of course.)
driverrob said,
February 11, 2006 at 10:34 pm
Punctuation comment?
‘something. In the βLostβ? show, when Sawyer ..’
Feng said,
February 12, 2006 at 12:34 am
Very acute observation. Great!
RyanC said,
February 12, 2006 at 2:20 am
This is a very good idea for a blog! It would be good if you could accept submissions?
One of my best friends I met at University is from China, and at first he had a few difficulties with his English, especially due to the fact that our University is ‘up North’ and people there tend to have quite a strong accent, and use a lot of slang expressions, which were confusing to him.
Anyway, great stuff π
Feng said,
February 12, 2006 at 2:46 am
Sure, submissions are welcome! Just email to me your wordpress username to haofeng66 at gmail. I will add you to the list.
vdovault said,
February 12, 2006 at 3:20 am
You usually ‘scrap’ ideas or objects in America while you ‘drop’ subjects of conversation. But you could also ‘scrap’ a conversational topic.
Do native Chinese speakers make up as many idiomatic expressions as native American English speakers do? We must really confuse you Feng.
Feng said,
February 13, 2006 at 1:20 am
Vdovault, yes, we do have many idiomatic expressions as you do. For example, in Chinese, there are more than 20 different ways to express “I go to gents”. It is the idioms that make it fun to learn a language. Btw, I think your comments are very helpful π