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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CA' THROUGH, —THRO(O) , —THROU', —THROW, v.phr. and n.phr.

1. v.phr.

(1) To display great energy in getting work done, to work away (Bnff.², Abd., Ags. and Fif. correspondents, Lnk.³ 1938).Sc. 1931 J. M. Bulloch in Times (30 Dec.):
May I suggest that we might honour the centenary of their author's [Scott's] death by introducing the fine phrase “Ca' through” . . . because it forms a counsel of perfection for the New Year?Ayr. 1792 Burns Hey, ca' thro' (Cent. ed.) ll. 1–2:
Hey, ca' thro', ca' thro', For we hae mickle ado!

(2) To pull through (an illness). Known to Bnff.², Ags.¹, Fif.¹ 1938.Ags. 1893 Arbroath Herald (8 June) 2/4:
We got him hame a' richt, an' he'll mebbe ca' throo't.

2. n.phr.

(1) Drive, “push” (used of work). Known to Bnff.², Abd. and Ags. correspondents, Fif.¹⁰ 1938.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 23:
He's a servan' it hiz a ca-through we's wark.

(2) Disturbance (Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Ags.¹, Fif.¹⁰ 1938).Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary (1818) xxiv.:
There was siccan a ca'-thro', as the like was never seen.Ags. 1934 R. C. Buist in Scots Mag. (Nov.) 142:
Wi' this an' that, they'd a gey ca' thro'.

(3) Of clothes: a slight or preliminary wash (Bnff.², Abd.², Ags.¹, Lnl.¹, Lnk.³, Kcb.⁹ 1938).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A gaed the colour't things a ca'-throw.

(4) A search (Abd.¹⁹, Ags.¹⁷, Fif.¹⁰ 1938).Bnff.² 1937:
I'll gie the press a ca' throu', bit I dinna think yir glesses are there.Abd.² 1938:
“Man, Jimmie, ye sud tak' a wife; she wud be chaper than a hoosekeeper.” “Weel, gin a hed the hairst by, a'll yoke the shalt an' hae a ca'-throw.”