to search for and expose corruption or scandal especially as done by a journalist
The phrase was taken up by the press, and the verb to muck"rake`, in the above sense, and the noun muck"rak`er (&?;), to designate one so engaged, were speedily coined and obtained wide currency
explore and expose misconduct and scandals concerning public figures; "This reporter was well-known for his muckraking"
On April 14, 1906, President Roosevelt delivered a speech on "The Man with the Muck Rake," in which he deprecated sweeping and unjust charges of corruption against public men and corporations
habitually, corruption, real or alleged, on the part of public men and corporations
The original allusion was to a character in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him
so intent on raking up muck that he could not see a celestial crown held above him
in which he deprecated sweeping and unjust charges of corruption against public men and corporations
explore and expose misconduct and scandals concerning public figures; "This reporter was well-known for his muckraking