1. to barely or with difficulty manage to touch, arrive at, or attain something
His feet could scarcely reach the ground when sitting on the tall stool.
Seus pés mal conseguiam alcançar o chão quando sentado no banquinho alto.
2. to almost not be able to accomplish or achieve something
The climber could scarcely reach the summit before nightfall.
O alpinista mal conseguiu alcançar o cume antes do anoitecer.
3. to be insufficient to extend to a particular point
The ladder scarcely reached the window on the second floor.
A escada mal chegava à janela do segundo andar.