rake up

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to revive, discover, or bring to light (something forgotten)

   to rake up an old quarrel

---

rake up Idioms  

1. Revive, bring to light, especially something unpleasant, as in She was raking up old gossip. [Late 1500s]

---

Example Sentences

While eager to imbue him with reverential status, the Party is simultaneously wary that almost any discussion of Mao's legacy could rake up uncomfortable memories.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The giant planets brawl among themselves, too, competing to rake up excess material and grow more giant still, sometimes ejecting the unlucky losers from the system in a “last planets standing” melee.

From Scientific American • Jun. 19, 2023

As we rake up leaves and pods from our neighbor’s tree every fall, we remind ourselves what a gift the shade was all summer.

From Washington Post • Nov. 28, 2022

If it doesn’t happen quickly, you’ll soon rake up huge losses.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2014

It was usually Jim’s job to rake up the leaves, but this year it fell to me.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam