Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To deliberately and often inappropriately mention or remind someone of an unpleasant event, fact, or memory from the past, especially during an argument or discussion.

Usage

• This verb is typically used to describe the act of reviving an old, usually negative, topic that is considered better left forgotten. It often implies causing annoyance, embarrassment, or reopening old wounds.
• It is commonly followed by the object being mentioned (e.g., ).
• The phrasal verb has a negative connotation, suggesting the action is unwelcome or tactless.

Examples

• Verb:
  • I wish you wouldn't drag up that old argument every time we disagree.
  • During the interview, the reporter tried to drag up details of the politician's youthful mistakes.
  • She always drags up my past failures when she's angry.

Advanced Usage

• "to drag something up": The object (the unpleasant memory or topic) can be placed between "drag" and "up."
  • He dragged the scandal up just to hurt her reputation.
• The phrase often carries a sense of dredging something up from the depths, much like pulling something from deep water or mud.

Variants and Related Words

• Dredge up (phrasal verb): A very close synonym, meaning to remind people of something forgotten or unpleasant from the past.
  • The article dredged up long-buried rumors.

Synonyms

• Raise (an issue): To bring a matter up for discussion.
• Resurrect: To bring back into use or attention.
• Rehash: To present old ideas or material again without significant change.
• Revisit: To return to or consider again (can be neutral or negative).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bring up: To mention or introduce a topic for discussion. (This is more general; "drag up" specifically implies the topic is unpleasant and from the past.)
  • She brought up a valid point about the budget. (Neutral)
  • Why did you have to drag up that old story? (Negative)

Related Idioms

• Rake over the old ashes / Rake up the past: To talk about unpleasant things that happened in the past.
  • The family meeting just raked over the old ashes of their disagreements.

Verb

1. mention something unpleasant from the past
   • Drag up old stories