Translation guide
To bring up an unpleasant topic from the past, often unnecessarily or inappropriately.
To mention or reintroduce a past issue, mistake, or sensitive subject, usually in a way that is unwelcome.
Literally 'to re-steam', this is the most common and natural way to say 'drag up' in the sense of bringing up an old, unpleasant topic.
彼はまた昔の失敗を蒸し返した。
He dragged up my old mistakes again.
その話はもう蒸し返さないでほしい。
I wish you wouldn't drag that up again.
Literally 'to dig up', this can be used metaphorically for bringing up past issues, often with a nuance of uncovering something hidden.
Means 'to bring up (a topic)'. It can be used for neutral or negative contexts, but when combined with context it implies dragging up something unpleasant.
Usually means 'to relapse' (illness), but can be used figuratively for old troubles resurfacing. Less common for 'drag up'.
Do not translate 'drag up' literally as 引き上げる (hikiageru) or 引きずり上げる (hikizuriageru); these mean physically pulling something up and do not convey the metaphorical meaning.
彼女は過去のことを掘り返すのが好きだ。
She likes to drag up things from the past.
I shouldn't have dragged up that issue at the meeting.
昔の喧嘩をぶり返すのはやめよう。
Let's not drag up that old fight.