Scratch along is a phrase that means to progress with difficulty or struggle. Some popular synonyms for scratch along are struggle, scrape by, get by, make a go of it, manage to survive, endure, make ends meet, and subsist. These phrases all describe the idea of barely getting by or managing to cope under difficult circumstances. Whether financial, physical, or emotional, scratch along implies hardship and the need to persevere in spite of obstacles. Some antonyms for scratch along might include thrive, flourish, or prosper. However, these words denote a level of success and well-being that scratch along does not.