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drag up

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To bring back something bad that people wanted to forget, or to raise kids without teaching them good manners.

Literal meaning: To drag something upward — as if pulling something heavy from a hole in the ground.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To mention or introduce an unpleasant, embarrassing, or painful topic from the past that people would prefer to forget.

"Why do you always have to drag up that argument we had three years ago?"

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To raise a child badly, without proper care, discipline, or education. Usually used critically or humorously.

"He had no table manners at all — it was as if he'd been dragged up rather than brought up."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily British English. The 'raise a child' sense is often used critically, implying neglect or lack of proper upbringing. The 'revive old memories' sense is usually negative in tone.

Commonly used with

memories past scandal story childhood grievances

Forms

Base
drag up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
drags up
he/she/it
Past simple
draged up
yesterday
Past participle
draged up
have + pp
-ing form
draging up
continuous

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