scratch the/an itch
idiom
chiefly US, informal
: to satisfy a desire or need for something
Sign up for a tour of Asia and scratch the itch to travel.
Examples of scratch the/an itch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mountainhead will certainly scratch the itch for Succession fans.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Naturepedic Down Pillow $199 $159 Naturepedic If you’re not sold on the side sleeper pillow, Naturepedic carries a down pillow that might scratch the itch.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025
Something for almost everybody The Anno games scratch an itch that no other games do, and based on a few hours with a preview build, Anno 117 seems like a promising entry in that unique tradition.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Don’t: Use Q-Tips You may be tempted to use Q-Tips to scratch an itch or remove earwax.
—Katie Mogg, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Gutekunst couldn’t help but scratch the itch to draft a fifth Georgia defender in the last five drafts.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
For bistro set traditionalists, this one should scratch the itch.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2025
The epic travelog features not one boat wreck but two, and enough sirens and seductive island-dwelling nymphs to scratch the itch for a little naughty stuff.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Elect for a deep charcoal or blue-black to pack a similar punch in the kitchen without backing the design into a tight corner, and incorporate matte black hardware or soapstone countertops to scratch the itch instead.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025
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Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Naturepedic Down Pillow $199 $159 Naturepedic If you’re not sold on the side sleeper pillow, Naturepedic carries a down pillow that might scratch the itch.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025
Something for almost everybody The Anno games scratch an itch that no other games do, and based on a few hours with a preview build, Anno 117 seems like a promising entry in that unique tradition.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Don’t: Use Q-Tips You may be tempted to use Q-Tips to scratch an itch or remove earwax.
—Katie Mogg, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Gutekunst couldn’t help but scratch the itch to draft a fifth Georgia defender in the last five drafts.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
For bistro set traditionalists, this one should scratch the itch.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2025
The epic travelog features not one boat wreck but two, and enough sirens and seductive island-dwelling nymphs to scratch the itch for a little naughty stuff.
—Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Elect for a deep charcoal or blue-black to pack a similar punch in the kitchen without backing the design into a tight corner, and incorporate matte black hardware or soapstone countertops to scratch the itch instead.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scratch the/an itch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scratch%20the%2Fan%20itch. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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