scramble

/ˈskræmbəl/
verb
  1. To move quickly and with difficulty, often using hands and feet, over rough ground or obstacles.
    • Soldiers scrambled over the wall during the training exercise.
    • The toddler scrambled onto the couch to reach his toy.
    • The hikers had to scramble up the steep, rocky trail.
  2. To mix or stir something, especially eggs, while cooking.
    • She scrambled the eggs with cheese and butter for breakfast.
    • He scrambled the ingredients together in the pan.
    • I like to scramble my eggs with a little milk to make them fluffy.
  3. To struggle or compete with others to get something first.
    • Fans scrambled to buy tickets for the concert before they sold out.
    • We all scrambled for the last piece of pizza.
    • The companies scrambled to hire the best software engineers.
  4. To change a signal or message so that it cannot be understood without a special device.
    • Satellite TV providers scramble their signals to prevent piracy.
    • The phone app scrambles your voice for privacy.
    • The spy agency scrambled the radio transmission to keep it secret.
noun
  1. A difficult climb or walk over rough ground.
    • We enjoyed a morning scramble along the coastal cliffs.
    • It was a short but tiring scramble to the top of the hill.
    • The trail ended in a steep scramble over loose rocks.
  2. A disorderly and hurried struggle to get something.
    • There was a mad scramble for the exit when the fire alarm went off.
    • The Black Friday sale caused a scramble for the best deals.
    • After the announcement, there was a scramble to register for the class.
  3. A type of motorcycle race or off-road ride.
    • The annual scramble attracted riders from all over the state.
    • They organized a charity scramble through the forest.
    • He entered his dirt bike in the local scramble race.