ausgraben
to dig up
To get something out of the ground by digging.
EXAMPLE
Archäologen haben in Ägypten ein altes Pharaonengrab ausgegraben.
Archaeologists have dug up an ancient pharaoh's tomb in Egypt.
ausgraben
to dig up
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Meanings
ausgraben
to dredge up
To bring up an old, often unpleasant story or piece of information again.
EXAMPLE
Warum musst du bei jedem Streit wieder diese alte Geschichte ausgraben?
Why do you have to dredge up that old story again in every argument?
ausgraben
to dig up
Colloquial for finding or reactivating something or someone after a long time.
EXAMPLE
Für das Projekt haben wir eine fast vergessene Studie aus dem Archiv ausgegraben.
For the project, we dug up an almost-forgotten study from the archive.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Ausgraben' (to dig up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Im Garten gräbt mein Hund ständig Knochen aus.
In the garden, my dog is constantly digging up bones.
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'aus' (out) and 'graben' (to dig). The literal meaning is therefore 'to get something out by digging.' The figurative meanings come from this idea of bringing something hidden to light.
EXAMPLE
Für die Feier hat sie ihr schönstes Kleid ausgegraben.
For the party, she dug out her most beautiful dress.
Context clue
The context reveals the meaning. If it is about physical objects in the ground (treasure, bones, plants), the literal meaning is intended. If it is about abstract things (stories, information, secrets), the figurative meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen die alten Kartoffeln ausgraben.
We have to dig up the old potatoes.
Typical collocations
When it is about bringing up old topics again, 'ausgraben' (to dig up / dredge up) is often combined with negative things or things from long ago. Typical phrases are 'alte Geschichten' (old stories), 'die Vergangenheit' (the past), or 'alte Vorwürfe' (old accusations) ausgraben.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Mal, wenn wir streiten, gräbst du die Vergangenheit aus.
Every time we argue, you dredge up the past.
Compare with
ausgraben vs aufgreifen
to take up / pick up
Both words work when an earlier topic is brought up again. Aufgreifen is neutral and shows that the topic is being discussed further; ausgraben emphasizes that it had been forgotten for a long time and often sounds critical. Use aufgreifen for a factual resumption, and ausgraben for an unpleasant old story.
ausgraben
Der Reporter grub den alten Streit aus der letzten Sitzung wieder aus.
The reporter dredged up the old argument from the previous meeting again.
aufgreifen
Die Moderatorin griff den Vorschlag aus der letzten Sitzung wieder auf.
The moderator took up the proposal from the previous meeting again.
In real life
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