raking over old coals
Dredging up history
Raking over old coals is revisiting past grievances, mistakes, or painful subjects that have already been settled or should be left alone.
The image is of stirring up a fire that has burned down—pointless and likely to produce only smoke and discomfort: There's no use raking over old coals; what's done is done.
The phrase suggests the discussion will generate heat without light.
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- regretSorrow over past actions
- let sleeping dogs lieAvoid rekindling dormant issues
letting it go · beating a dead horse · stirring the pot · airing dirty laundry · rumination · hindsight · closure · introspection · accountability · catharsis · recollection · confrontation · skeletons in the closet · flashback · guilt · mediation · anger · rehashing
raking over old coalsletting go
Releasing one's grasp
moving on · forgive and forget · turning the page · burying the hatchet · looking forward
raking over old coalsforgiving and forgetting
Excusing wrongs, dismissing them
forgiveness · making peace · reconciliation · absolution · amnesty
raking over old coalslooking forward
Expecting something eagerly
moving on · turning over a new leaf · starting fresh · forward-looking · looking ahead