rake up
The phrase "rake up" often carries a negative connotation, implying the unnecessary revival of forgotten or unpleasant matters.
Definition
B2Conversation
(informal, disapproving)To bring up or mention something unpleasant or embarrassing from the past.
Example
- Why do you always have to rake up old arguments?
- Raking up the past won't help anyone move forward.
B1General
(neutral)To gather or collect scattered items with difficulty or from various places.
Example
- We need to rake up volunteers for the event.
- She managed to rake up enough support for her proposal.
B2Investigation
(neutral)To discover or bring to light something that was forgotten or overlooked.
Example
- The journalist raked up some old documents that were crucial to the story.
- He was able to rake up new evidence for the case.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "rake up":
rake outrake indredge uprake offkick updrag upscrape updig uprack upgin upruffle upchurn upstir updrum upscare upsweep uprarked uppluck upkick up dustrark upheap uprough uprumple upbroom upruck upbring updig outscoop upscrump upshovel outfetch upjack uprack offdust uprip uprub upcast uphack uprun uppile onstep on a rakewhip upthatcher's rakehaul uptrump uphaul incook upbrush updig intocough uptear updust offdig downcure upmop upgrind uprucked upwork upshake upfork overthresh out