1 B2 idiomatic informal
To bring unpleasant or embarrassing information or memories to people's attention, especially after a long time.
"The tabloids dredged up every old scandal they could find before the election."
separable
dredge up
B2 informal separable transitive
To bring up unpleasant memories or information from the past that would be better left forgotten.
In plain English
To dig up something bad from the past — like an old argument or a dark secret — that people didn't want to think about again.
What does "dredge up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To recall or retrieve something from memory with great effort.
"She tried to dredge up her high school French for the conversation."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a dredge (a digging machine) to bring material up from the bottom of a river or sea.
Actually means
To dig up something bad from the past — like an old argument or a dark secret — that people didn't want to think about again.
Usage tip
Strongly implies that the material being retrieved is unpleasant, embarrassing, or painful. The metaphor comes from dredging a river or harbour — dragging up what has sunk to the bottom. Often used in journalism and gossip contexts.
Words that pair with "dredge up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
past memories scandal story accusation old argument
How to conjugate "dredge up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dredge up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dredges up
he/she/it
Past simple
dredged up
yesterday
Past participle
dredged up
have + pp
-ing form
dredging up
continuous
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