rake up

rakeとは日本語でも、レーキという表字で使われますが、熊手のような、地面を掘り起こしたり、ならしたするために使う金物のことを指します。

熊手といえば、潮干狩りでも活躍するアイテムです。ハマグリを探すため、砂浜をほじくり返すのが目的です。

日本語でも、”（過去を）ほじくり返す”といいますが、あまり良い意味で用いられません。

一旦は収まっているものを、わざわざほじくり返す、ということで、"up"という副詞もその意味を引き立てているようです。


" I'd still like to know why she told you about the letters. " Julian said, because he was curious to see how Craddock would react, " I think she wanted to stop me asking questions about what happened between you and her twenty years ago. " " You poke your nose into everything, don't you? What happened between me and Lady Tarleton is none of your business! " " I agree there's no reason to rake up that matter again, " said Sir Robert. " It was thoroughly enquired into at the time? " Craddock laughed shortly. " I gave you a fair hearing, " Sir Robert insisted, and you had nothing to say in your own defence. "
(Cut to the Quick. Kate Ross. 1993.)