dredge up
Britishverb
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to bring to notice, esp with considerable effort and from an obscure, remote, or unlikely source
to dredge up worthless ideas
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to raise with or as if with a dredge
they dredged up the corpse from the lake
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Online critics were quick to dredge up comments by a former Argentinian leader as proof of the country’s bias.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
During one particularly tough patch that summer, the media managed to dredge up every stupid thing I had ever said publicly.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
This is a film that serves a purpose, and Jones’ amiable writing and Aramayo’s engaging performance dredge up just enough sentimentality while keeping the movie from seeming overly instructive.
From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2026
Just five years ago, the same agency—then under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo—had denied the permit, citing the likelihood that it would dredge up toxic material.
From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2025
Anya’s heart still hammered and her belly twisted with fear, and the first coherent thought she could dredge up was why the dragon hadn’t tried to eat her yet.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
