cuts and scratches, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cuts and scratches n.

also bites and scratches

[rhy. sl.; ult. cheap imported matches which cut and scratched the box failing to ignite]

matches.

1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl. 54/2: Cuts and scratches Matches 19C. Prob. suggested by poor quality (imported matches) safety matches.
1969		S.T. Kendall Up the Frog 25: Bite(s) & scratch(es) – Match(es).
1971		J. Jones Rhy. Cockney Sl.