Rake up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɹeɪk/ /ˈəp

RAYK-uhp

UK

ɹˈeɪk/ /ˈʌp

RAYK-up

Definition

To mention unpleasant or past things that people may want to forget, often in a way that causes trouble or discomfort.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly informal and often used to criticize someone for bringing up past issues, especially sensitive or negative ones ('rake up old arguments'). Not used for physical raking. Frequently appears with 'old stories', 'the past', or 'trouble'. Avoid confusing with literal 'rake' (for leaves).

• Spanish: sacar a relucir - remover (el pasado)
• Portuguese (BR): remexer - trazer à tona (do passado)
• Portuguese (PT): remexer - trazer à tona (do passado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 揭旧事 - 重提（过去的事）
• Chinese (Traditional): 揭舊事 - 重提（過去的事）
• Hindi: पुरानी बातें उखेड़ना - पुरानी बातें याद दिलाना
• Arabic: إثارة (الماضي) - إعادة فتح (مواضيع قديمة)
• Bengali: পুরানো কথা তুলা - পুরানো প্রসঙ্গ উত্থাপন করা
• Russian: ворошить (старое) - поднимать (прошлое)
• Japanese: 蒸し返す - 掘り返す（過去の話）
• Vietnamese: khơi lại - đào bới lại (chuyện cũ/khó chịu)
• Korean: 과거를 들추다 - 지난 일을 꺼내다
• Turkish: eski konuları açmak - geçmişi deşmek
• Urdu: پرانے معاملات کو اُچھالنا - پرانی باتیں یاد دلانا
• Indonesian: mengungkit - membongkar (masalah lama)

Example Sentences

Please don't rake up what happened last year.

basic

Why do you always rake up my mistakes?

basic

He tried not to rake up old arguments.

basic

Every time we meet, she somehow manages to rake up something embarrassing from my past.

natural

Journalists often rake up scandals even years after they happen.

natural

Let’s focus on solutions instead of trying to rake up old trouble.

natural