drag up

To mention an unpleasant event from the past that people would rather forget.

• Do not drag up old mistakes.
• She dragged up an embarrassing story about my school days.
• Why are they dragging that scandal up again?

How to use it: drag something up (Why did you drag that argument up again?)

Similar words: bring up, rake up

Common phrases: drag up something, drag up memories

To pull something upward with effort, especially something heavy.

• Drag the bag up here.
• We dragged the heavy box up the steps.
• Can you help me drag this boat up the beach?

How to use it: drag something up something (They dragged the sofa up the stairs.)

Similar words: haul up, pull up

Common phrases: drag up something, drag up luggage

To raise a child without teaching them good manners or how to behave.

• Those children were dragged up.
• She said her parents dragged her up without teaching her manners.
• Were they brought up properly or simply dragged up?

How to use it: be dragged up (He says he was dragged up without any rules at home.)

Similar words: raise badly

Common phrases: drag up children, drag up someone

For a man, to wear women’s clothes, usually for a show or entertainment.

• He dragged up for the show.
• The actors are dragging up for a comedy sketch.
• Have you ever dragged up for a party?

How to use it: drag up for something (He dragged up for the charity show.)

Similar words: dress in drag

Common phrases: drag up for, drag up tonight

To teach children who do not want to learn, with considerable effort.

• He tried to drag up unwilling pupils.
• The village teacher spent years dragging up children who hated lessons.
• She complained that dragging up reluctant pupils left her exhausted.

How to use it: drag someone up (The teacher struggled to drag up pupils who refused to study.)

Similar words: educate

Common phrases: drag up pupils, drag up someone