8 If a person or vehicle isbringing up the rear, they are the last person or vehicle in a moving line of them. ♦ bring up the rear phrase V inflects. ...police motorcyclists bringing up the rear of the procession. 9 If something unpleasant rears its head or rears its ugly head, it becomes visible or noticeable. ♦ rear its head/rears its ugly head phrase V and N inflect. The threat of strikes reared its head again this summer... Rear Admiral ( Rear Admirals plural ) Rear Admiral is a rank in the navy.