rake up
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To bring up or revive unpleasant memories, accusations, or old disputes from the past, often unnecessarily.
Also literally: to gather fallen leaves or garden debris using a rake; metaphorically: to uncover or dredge up old or forgotten issues.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb with strong negative connotations of stirring up trouble or re-opening old wounds. The subject is typically a person or news source.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both use it metaphorically.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but well-established in American.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
rake up [past event/issue]rake [something] uprake it upVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't rake up the past.”
- “Raking up old dirt.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used regarding revisiting past failed projects or conflicts during mergers.
Academic
In historical analysis, discussing the re-examination of past controversies.
Everyday
Discussing family arguments or gossip from long ago.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tabloids love to rake up scandals from a politician's youth.
- I wish you wouldn't rake up that old disagreement.
American English
- The interview raked up painful memories from the war.
- Let's not rake all that up again.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Why did you rake up that old story? It was forgotten.
- The journalist's article raked up the corruption scandal the company thought was buried.
- He's always raking up the past instead of focusing on the future.
- The memoir has inevitably raked up the bitter factional disputes of the 1980s.
- Their strategy was to rake up every minor ethical lapse in their opponent's career.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a gardener raking up dead leaves - similarly, someone 'rakes up' old, dead issues.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS BURIED DEBRIS (to be raked up).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation; Russian 'поднимать' (to raise) or 'вспоминать' (to recall) lacks the negative nuance of forcing an unwanted issue.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'rake in' (to earn a lot). Using 'rake up' for neutral recollection.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'rake up'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'rake up the past' or 'rake the past up.'
Extremely rarely. Its default meaning is negative, implying the revival of something best left forgotten.
They are near-synonyms. 'Dig up' can be more literal (digging up bones) and slightly more forceful. 'Rake up' often implies a less thorough, more gossipy or surface-level revival.
No, it can refer to any old issue: scandals, arguments, accusations, or grievances.