rake over: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘rake over’ mean?
The idiom "rake over" means to revisit or bring up past events or topics for discussion, especially in a critical or thorough manner.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "run through" means to quickly review or discuss something, often in a casual or brief manner. It can also refer to the act of rehearsing or practicing something, such as a performance or a speech.
The idiom "run the rule over" means to examine or evaluate something or someone in a thorough and critical manner.
The idiom "run past" means to quickly mention or discuss something without going into detail or providing much information.
The idiom "run over" means to hit or knock down someone or something with a vehicle. It can also refer to reviewing or reiterating something quickly, and it is often used to describe time that exceeds the original plan.
The idiom "run into the ground" means to exhaust or use up completely, often through overuse or mismanagement.
The idiom "rub in" means to emphasize or remind someone of something, often in a way that causes annoyance or embarrassment.
"Root around" is a commonly used idiom in English that dates back to the late 16th century. This idiom is derived from the verb "root," which means to search or rummage through something in a determined and thorough manner. The word "root" itself can be traced back to the Old English word "rotian," meaning to dig or pierce.
The idiom "ride roughshod over" means to act without caring about or considering the opinions, needs, or feelings of others, and to treat them in a harsh or unfair manner.
The idiom "ride roughshod over" is a commonly used expression in English. It conveys the idea of disregarding or ignoring the feelings, rights, or opinions of others and imposing one's own will or authority without any consideration for their well-being or concerns.
FAIL
The idiom "rake over the coals" is closely related to the phrase "rake over." When someone "rakes over the coals," it means they are subjecting someone to harsh criticism or intense scrutiny. It conveys the idea of examining someone's actions or behavior in a manner that is highly critical and judgmental.
In some cases, "rake over the coals" can also refer to the act of revisiting a past mistake or wrongdoing and holding someone accountable for their actions. It implies a sense of rehashing the details of a situation in order to emphasize someone's wrongdoings or to highlight their shortcomings.
When someone is "raked over the coals," it can be a painful and uncomfortable experience, as it often involves being publicly criticized or facing severe consequences for one's actions. This idiom is commonly used in both informal and formal settings, such as in personal relationships, workplace evaluations, or public scandals.
In a similar vein, the idiom "go over" shares a connection with the phrase "rake over." When someone "goes over" a topic or issue, it means they are examining it closely or thoroughly. However, unlike "rake over," "go over" does not necessarily imply negative connotations or intense scrutiny.
"Go over" can simply mean reviewing or discussing something in detail, without any judgment or criticism attached to it. It is a more neutral and general term that can be applied to various situations, such as going over a plan, going over a document, or going over a problem.
Another related idiom is "run the rule over." When someone "runs the rule over" a person or thing, it means they are carefully evaluating or assessing it. This idiom is often used in professional or formal contexts, such as when someone is conducting a review, analysis, or examination.
The phrase "run the rule over" implies a systematic and thorough evaluation, often with the goal of identifying strengths, weaknesses, or areas for improvement. It can be used in various domains, such as running the rule over a business proposal, running the rule over a potential job candidate, or running the rule over a project plan.
Finally, we have the idiom "over and over again." This phrase emphasizes repetition or the act of doing something repeatedly. When someone does something "over and over again," it means they are doing it many times, often to the point of redundancy or exhaustion.
While "over and over again" is not directly connected to the phrase "rake over," it shares a similar focus on revisiting or repeating something. The repetition implied in this idiom can convey a sense of frustration, annoyance, or persistence.
People often use the phrase "over and over again" when talking about habits, patterns, or behaviors that keep recurring. It can also be used to describe situations where someone is stuck in a cycle of repetition, unable to break free from a particular pattern of behavior or thought.
The idiom "rake over" conveys the idea of revisiting a topic, issue, or event in a detailed or thorough manner. It can be used in various contexts, ranging from personal disputes to legal proceedings to political debates. The related idioms "rake over the coals," "go over," "run the rule over," and "over and over again" add nuances and variations to the concept of revisiting and examining different subjects. These idioms reflect the complexity and diversity of the English language, offering us a range of expressions to convey our thoughts and experiences.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *rake over* can be used in a sentence:
1. During the meeting, the boss decided to rake over the old project, discussing each aspect in detail.
2. The journalist thought it would be interesting to rake over the scandal from last year in her new article.
3. Sarah's mother always tends to rake over past mistakes, never allowing her to move on and forget about them.
More "Verbs" idioms
