Pronunciation: [dɹˈaɡ ˈʌp] (IPA) 
The phrasal verb "drag up" can be spelled with its usual pronunciation of /dræɡ ʌp/. The first syllable "drag" is pronounced with a short "a" sound /æ/ followed by a hard "g" sound /ɡ/. The second syllable "up" is pronounced with a short "u" sound /ʌ/ and ends with a "p" sound /p/. This phrasal verb means to bring up old or unpleasant memories, experiences, or topics in a conversation or situation.
Drag up is a phrasal verb typically used in informal contexts and can have different interpretations depending on the context in which it is used. It can refer to bringing up or mentioning a particular topic or issue from the past, often without any apparent reason or relevance to the current situation. In this sense, it implies resurrecting something that has been dormant or forgotten and presenting it for discussion or consideration. For example, during a conversation about a recent event, someone might unexpectedly drag up a controversial incident that happened years ago, causing unease or tension.
Additionally, drag up can also mean recalling or remembering someone's negative actions or past mistakes with the intention of criticizing or shaming them. It involves resurrecting a person's past behavior or misdeeds to hold them accountable or to portray them in a negative light. This usage often implies an intention to shame or embarrass the person being discussed.
Furthermore, drag up may refer to the act of raising or bringing up a person or object with some exertion or effort, usually in a literal sense. For instance, a group of individuals might need to drag up a heavy piece of furniture up a flight of stairs. In this sense, it signifies physically pulling or moving something upwards.
Overall, drag up can have different meanings depending on the context, including bringing up a past issue, recalling negative actions, or physically raising an object.
The term "drag up" has its roots in drag culture and is believed to have originated in the 1960s in the context of the American drag scene.
"Drag" itself refers to the performance art form where individuals dress in clothing and adopt exaggerated gender characteristics of the opposite sex, typically for comedic or theatrical purposes. This concept of "drag" dates back to Shakespearean times, but it gained popularity and cultural significance in the mid-20th century.
The phrase "drag up" is derived from the action of putting on or "dragging up" clothing and accessories associated with the opposite gender. It specifically refers to the act of an individual, often a man, dressing in exaggeratedly feminine clothing to portray a female character in a drag performance. The "up" in the phrase likely signifies the idea of transforming oneself into a different persona through the act of dressing up.
