Phrasal verb
rake over
Definition
phrasal verb. to talk or think about something bad that happened in the past. You use this when someone keeps bringing up old problems that are better to forget.
phrasal verb. to examine or discuss past events or grievances in exhaustive detail, especially when doing so is distressing or redundant. Transitive; typically takes objects such as 'the past', 'old ground', or 'memories'.
Examples
“There is no need to rake over our old arguments tonight.”
“The biography was criticized for raking over the details of the actor's private life long after his death.”
“The committee spent hours raking over the evidence from the previous year, searching for a single inconsistency that might justify reopening the investigation.”
Examples
simple
“There is no need to rake over our old arguments tonight.”
contextual
“The biography was criticized for raking over the details of the actor's private life long after his death.”
complex
“The committee spent hours raking over the evidence from the previous year, searching for a single inconsistency that might justify reopening the investigation.”
Usage
usually takes a direct object representing a past event or a collection of memories.
Teaching tip
anchor the meaning with the physical image of raking through cold ashes or soil to find something; this helps students visualize the 'searching' aspect of the verb.
Pitfall
He kept raking over about his old mistakes.
He kept raking over his old mistakes.
the verb is transitive and takes a direct object without the preposition 'about'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
over
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
rake + over + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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