to rake

Examples

• All

• The detective had only a moment to rake through the evidence before making his decision.

• His gaze raked Jessica's upturned face, slid over the twins, and came back to her.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Why do you rake it up?

  The Heart of Me (2004)

• I would thank you not to rake up that matter and distress my family again.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "I agree there's no reason to rake up that matter again," said Sir Robert.

  Fiction book (1993)

• So you've raked up that, have you?

  The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)

• Godman was guilty, and you can't do any good by raking it up again.

  Fiction book (1993)

• We accomplish nothing by raking over these well-raked coals yet another time.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "Although I can't blame Lambert for not wanting the whole thing raked up again.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Past midnight, his eyes raked the house for scraps to feed his voracious flames.

  Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

T

to take a look

vsto rake

∞ 1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

leans specifically to brief superficial checking rather than careful review

G

to glance

vsto rake

299 1.5

To look quickly at someone or something

is broader, meaning a fast superficial examination rather than just a brief look

G

to glance at

vsto rake

150 2.0

Look quickly at someone or something

is more about a swift superficial scan than a mere brief glance

S

to scan

vsto rake

127 2.7

To look quickly to find specific information

is a quick general check rather than a targeted search

P

to peek

vsto rake

119 1.1

To look quickly and secretly at something

is an open quick superficial check rather than a secretive look

P

to peep

vsto rake

30 3.2

To look quickly and secretly at something you are not supposed to see

is a general quick examination without the secretive or partial reveal

G

to glance over

vsto rake

18 3.2

Look at something quickly without reading it carefully

is similar but can imply an even briefer or lighter check

T

to take a gander

vsto rake

• Informal

10 8.2

To look quickly and casually at something you are curious about

is a quick superficial inspection rather than a casual curious look

R

to run down

vsto rake

4 4.8

To quickly say the main points

is about a quick superficial glance rather than a short hurried review

S

to skim over

vsto rake

1 3.8

To read quickly without looking at details

applies broadly to any quick superficial look, not only reading

S

to skim

vsto rake

1 2.7

Read something quickly without looking at details

covers quick superficial checking of things beyond reading

G

to give the once over

vsto rake

• Informal

1 7.4

To look quickly to check if something is okay

is a quick superficial look without the strong critical judgment

T

to throw an eye

vsto rake

• UK

7.8

To look quickly at something

is a more general brief examination, possibly slightly more thorough

T

to take a squizz

vsto rake

• Australian

9.9

To have a quick look at something because you are curious

is a quick superficial check without the casual curiosity focus

S

to squiz

vsto rake

• Slang

9.9

To look quickly in an informal way

is a general quick examination, not necessarily informal or playful

Idioms

R

to rake over the coals

• Informal

4 7.9

Scold someone very strongly for a mistake

R

to rake in a fortune

• Informal

1 4.3

To earn a lot of money quickly with little work

R

to rake over old coals

• Informal

8.4

To bring up old arguments or painful memories again

S

to step on a rake

• Informal

8.6

To have unexpected problems because of your own mistake

Phrasal Verbs

R

to rake in

• Informal

29 4.6

To earn a large amount of money with little effort

R

to rake the leaves

1 1.3

To gather fallen leaves from the ground using a long-handled tool

R

to rake up

• Informal

1 6.8

Bring up old unpleasant events or arguments in public unnecessarily

R

to rake off

• NSFW

1 9.1

Take money secretly from payments, often in an illegal way

R

to rake over the past

• Informal

7.1

To keep talking about old mistakes or bad events unnecessarily

R

to rake over

• Informal

7.1

Carefully examine and discuss a topic, often when it is difficult or unpleasant

R

to rake together

• Informal

6.7

Gather money, papers, or people quickly, often with effort

R

to rake up old memories

• Informal

6.8

Remember past events on purpose, often ones you would rather forget

Compounds

G

garden rake

1 1.7

A tool with a long handle and a bar with teeth for gathering leaves or smoothing soil

C

croupier's rake

• Jargon

9.9

A small tool a casino dealer uses to move and collect chips on the table

F

fine-toothed rake

4.9

A garden tool with many close teeth for gathering leaves and small debris

R

rake handle

2.5

A long stick used to hold a garden tool for moving leaves

R

rake-off

• Literature

8.9

A small secret share taken from money or profits by dishonest people

How Careful

to examine

868 2.5

to scan

127 2.7

to rake

16 6.3

Surface Forms

Etymology