dredge up

USAGE SUMMARY

"dredge up" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to recover or bring up information or memories, as if using a dredge to scoop them out of a deep area. Example sentence: After years of trying to forget, he dredged up the memories of his father's death.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Before then, let's dredge up history again.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do you dredge up dirt from his past?

The New York Times

She managed to dredge up a smile afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

If you're going to dredge up a serpent demon, you'd better give her teeth.

The New York Times

In most cases, Watson could dredge up answers quicker than either of its two human rivals.

The Economist

Click here to dredge up unwanted memories in round eight - The US presidential election.

Independent

"She doesn't want to dredge up things that happened a long time ago.

The New York Times

To dredge up the distant past "will only work in her favor".

The New Yorker

Searches will dredge up all video content, whether on television or on the web.

The Economist

One can dredge up ancient instances of "so" as a sentence starter.

The New York Times

Each time I return, I dredge up memories that are difficult to shake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dredge up" when you want to emphasize the effort or difficulty involved in retrieving information or memories, especially if they are unpleasant or have been deliberately forgotten.

Common error

Avoid using "dredge up" when a more neutral term like "recall" or "remember" would suffice. "Dredge up" often carries a connotation of bringing up something negative or unwanted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dredge up" functions as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "dredge" with the preposition "up" to create a new meaning distinct from the individual words. It describes the act of uncovering or retrieving something, often with effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dredge up" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to bring something, often unpleasant memories or forgotten information, to light with effort. As Ludwig AI reports, this expression is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in news and media, but it's vital to consider the connotation of negativity. When choosing a synonym, consider alternatives such as "recall" or "unearth", depending on the context. When writing, be mindful of the negative implication of stirring up potentially sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dig up

Implies a more active search for information or objects, often from the past.

unearth

Focuses on discovering something hidden or forgotten, often with effort.

bring back

Highlights causing someone to remember or think about something from the past.

bring to light

Highlights the act of revealing something previously unknown or concealed.

recover

Implies regaining possession of something lost or forgotten, whether tangible or intangible.

resurrect

Suggests bringing something back to attention after a period of dormancy or neglect.

exhume

Connotes uncovering something buried or concealed, often with a sense of uncovering something unpleasant or controversial.

call to mind

Emphasizes the act of remembering or recalling something from one's memory.

reminisce about

Highlights a nostalgic reflection on past events or experiences.

evoke

Focuses on bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind.

FAQs

How can I use "dredge up" in a sentence?

You can use "dredge up" to describe the act of bringing something from the past into the present, especially memories or information that might be unpleasant. For example, "The article dredged up old scandals."

What does it mean to "dredge up" something?

To "dredge up" something means to bring something back to attention, often with effort or difficulty, especially if it is something that was better left forgotten. It can apply to memories, information, or events.

What's a good alternative to "dredge up" that doesn't imply negativity?

If you want to avoid the negative connotation of "dredge up", you can use alternatives such as "recall", "remember", or "unearth" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dredge up"?

Use "dredge up" when the act of remembering or revealing something involves effort or difficulty, and when the subject matter is potentially unpleasant or controversial. It suggests that the information has been buried or deliberately forgotten.