to rake

Examples

• All

• The wheelhouse is raked by gunfire.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The machine guns will continue to rake the area for 60 seconds.

  The Young Lions (1958)

• Suddenly, bullets rake across the instrument panel.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Bullets rake the walls behind them as they sprint forward.

  Fiction book (1991)

• FRISCO BAR AND CASINO - NIGHT: Bullets rake the trolley's metal sides.

  Fiction book (1998)

• The Confederates raked them with heavy fire from their repeaters.

  Fiction book (1992)

• The Germans raked the wharf with machine gunfire.

  Edge of Darkness (1943)

• The strobing gunfire makes a strobing shadow of the gunman, whose back is to us as he rakes the room with fire.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The soldiers raked the enemy positions with gunfire, ensuring no one could escape.

• As the helicopter flew overhead, it raked the ground with bullets, leaving destruction in its wake.

Synonyms

S

to sweep

vsto rake

70 2.3

To extend across a large area or long distance

moves in a narrow line to cover entire length

M

to mow a swath

vsto rake

• US

1 7.9

To cut a path through tall grass and plants with a scythe or mower

passes along a narrow line to cover an object's full length

Antonyms

M

to miss

549 1.0

To fail to reach or hit something you aim for

Idioms

R

to rake over the coals

• Informal

6 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

S

to step on a rake

• Informal

1 8.6

To have unexpected problems because of your own mistake

R

to rake over old coals

• Informal

8.4

To bring up old arguments or painful memories again

Phrasal Verbs

R

to rake in

• Informal

33 4.6

To earn a large amount of money with little effort

R

to rake the leaves

3 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

• Informal

1 7.1

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

R

to rake together

• Informal

1 6.7

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

R

to rake over the past

• Informal

1 7.1

To keep talking about old mistakes or bad events unnecessarily

R

to rake up old memories

• Informal

1 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

R

rake handle

1 2.5

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

R

rake-off

• Literature

1 8.9

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

C

croupier's rake

• Jargon

1 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

How Complete

to saturate

8 5.2

to cover

∞ 1.0

to rake

4 7.4

sweep

111 3.5

to brush

125 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology