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Glite Dictionary
to rake over

to rake over

7.1
Carefully examine and discuss a topic, often when it is difficult or unpleasant
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : revisar
  • The committee spent hours raking over the financial reports.

Examples

  • Before we make a decision, let's rake over all the available evidence one more time.

  • Let's not rake over old issues.

  • She didn't want to rake over old arguments from years ago.

  • She rakes over the details of the project.

  • The committee decided to rake over the details of the controversial policy during their next meeting.

  • It's important not to rake over past mistakes, but to learn from them and move forward.

  • The journalist plans to rake over the scandal to uncover the truth behind the allegations.

Synonyms

to go over
vsto rake over
642 2.5

To check something carefully, like papers or work

is similar but focuses more on probing uncomfortable or complicated subjects
to reflect
vsto rake over
265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

is more about methodical investigation and bringing hidden problems into light
to talk over
vsto rake over
66 3.2

Discuss something carefully with someone before deciding

can be used for both private thought and public examination of difficult matters
to dwell on
vsto rake over
53 5.2

To think or talk a lot about something upsetting

is more investigative and seeks to uncover all relevant difficult details
to pore over
vsto rake over
28 5.5

To study things like books or papers carefully to find information

covers the same careful attention but extends to discussing awkward or complex issues
to mull over
vsto rake over
19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

leans more toward complete examination and discussion of complicated or troubling facts
to think over
vsto rake over
8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

adds a sense of thorough probing, especially into unpleasant or complex details
to turn over
vsto rake over
4 4.1

Think carefully about something before deciding

stresses looking into messy or sensitive details rather than just weighing options
to chew over
vsto rake over
  • Informal
3 4.1

To think about or talk about something carefully for a long time

emphasizes full investigation of awkward or complicated topics rather than general pondering
to work over
vsto rake over
3 4.4

To carefully check and change writing or plans for mistakes

focuses more on examining difficult matters rather than editing or fixing work
to brood over
vsto rake over
3 6.7

Think about something in a worried way for a long time

is less emotional and more about systematic examination of troubling or complex matters
to hash over
vsto rake over
  • Informal
1 6.0

Talk about something again in detail

focuses more on thorough examination of unpleasant or complex matters
to noodle over
vsto rake over
  • Informal
7.7

To think about something slowly and in a relaxed way

aims at thorough, often serious examination of unpleasant or complex topics

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook
243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Thorough

to scrutinize
  • US
70 6.2
to rake over
  • Informal
7.1
to review
  • Literature
252 2.9

Surface Forms

rake over infinitive
raked over past
raked over past participle
raking over present participle
rakes over third person singular

Morphology

rake + over

The sense of 'rake' (to comb or run over something) plus the particle 'over' yields a coherent image of going through matters thoroughly, so there is a clear compositional link to 'examine or discuss at length.' However, the image is metaphorical and the specific pragmatic sense of re-examining unpleasant or reopened issues is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure, making it only partially transparent.

Etymology

Rake over may come from the image of using a rake to pull leaves or soil and turn things over so hidden items or dirt come up. That's why rake over now means 'to examine or discuss something carefully', often an 'unpleasant' or 'old' matter.