Rake up
phrasal verb
To bring up or remember an unpleasant event or topic from the past.
I wish you wouldn't keep raking up my past mistakes.
Often appears as...
- rake up the past
- rake up old wounds
Usage tips
Disapproving
phrasal verb
To gather, collect or accumulate a large quantity of something.
He's been raking up a fortune with his new business.
Often appears as...
- rake up a fortune
- rake up profits
phrasal verb
To clean or clear an area by gathering leaves, trash or other materials using a rake.
He spent the afternoon raking up leaves in the garden.
Often appears as...
- rake up leaves
- rake up debris
phrasal verb
To bring up or remember an unpleasant event or topic from the past.
I wish you wouldn't keep raking up my past mistakes.
Often appears as...
- rake up the past
- rake up old wounds
Usage tips
Disapproving
phrasal verb
To gather, collect or accumulate a large quantity of something.
He's been raking up a fortune with his new business.
Often appears as...
- rake up a fortune
- rake up profits
phrasal verb
To clean or clear an area by gathering leaves, trash or other materials using a rake.
He spent the afternoon raking up leaves in the garden.
Often appears as...
- rake up leaves
- rake up debris
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'rake up' can imply criticism or judgment, showing disapproval of bringing up the past.
Why must you always rake up what happened years ago?
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
'Rake up' can evoke strong emotions if it refers to someone's difficult or embarrassing history.
Mentioning the scandal only rakes up unnecessary pain.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Shift
'Rake up' can be used to shift a conversation to address unresolved issues from the past.
We need to rake up our last argument to understand each other better.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'rake up' can imply criticism or judgment, showing disapproval of bringing up the past.
Why must you always rake up what happened years ago?
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
'Rake up' can evoke strong emotions if it refers to someone's difficult or embarrassing history.
Mentioning the scandal only rakes up unnecessary pain.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Shift
'Rake up' can be used to shift a conversation to address unresolved issues from the past.
We need to rake up our last argument to understand each other better.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'rake up' can imply criticism or judgment, showing disapproval of bringing up the past.
Why must you always rake up what happened years ago?
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
'Rake up' can evoke strong emotions if it refers to someone's difficult or embarrassing history.
Mentioning the scandal only rakes up unnecessary pain.
Pro Tip 3/3Conversation Shift
'Rake up' can be used to shift a conversation to address unresolved issues from the past.
We need to rake up our last argument to understand each other better.
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