dig

dig¹ S3 [dıg] v past tense and past participle dug [dʌg] present participle digging

[Date: 1100-1200; Origin: Perhaps from Old English dic 'ditch']

1.) [I and T]

to move earth, snow etc, or to make a hole in the ground, using a ↑spade or your hands

dig a hole/trench/grave etc

▪ They dig a small hole in the sand to bury their eggs.

dig down

▪ Dig down about 6 inches.

dig for

▪ birds digging for worms

2.) [T]

to remove something, especially vegetables, from the ground using a ↑spade

▪ freshly dug carrots

3.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition]

to put your hand into something, especially in order to search for something

▪ She dug around in her bag for a pen.

▪ He dug his hands deep into his pockets.

4.) dig your heels in

to refuse to do something in spite of other people's efforts to persuade you

5.) dig deep

to use something which you have, especially money or effort, which you would not normally need

▪ With one man sent off, the team had to dig deep and hang on for a draw.

6.) dig a hole for yourself also dig yourself into a hole

to get yourself into a difficult situation by doing or saying the wrong thing

7.) dig sb out of trouble/a mess/a hole etc

to help a person or organization get out of trouble

8.) dig your own grave

to do something that will cause serious problems for you in the future

9.) [T] old-fashioned to like something

▪ I dig that hat!

dig in phr v

1.) dig sth<=>in also dig sth into sth

to mix something into soil by digging

▪ Dig some fertiliser into the soil first.

2.) also dig (sth) into sth

to push a hard or pointed object into something, especially someone's body, or to press into something

▪ She dug her finger nails into his arm.

dig sth<=>in

▪ He dug his spurs in and urged his horse on.

▪ I could feel one of the hooks digging in.

3.) if a group of people, especially soldiers, dig in, they make a protected place for themselves or prepare for a difficult situation

▪ The troops dug in along the defensive line.

▪ We just have to dig in and hope we can turn things around.

4.) also dig into sth

informal to start eating food that is in front of you

▪ Go in - dig in!

▪ He was already digging into his pie and chips.

dig into [dig into sth] phr v

1.) to start using a supply of something, especially money

▪ I'm going to have to dig into my savings again.

2.) to try to find out about something unknown or secret

▪ He had been digging into her past.

→dig in

dig out [dig sth<=>out] phr v

1.) to get something out of earth, snow etc using a ↑spade or your hands

dig something<=>out of

▪ We had to dig the car out of a snow drift.

2.) to find something you have not seen for a long time, or that is not easy to find

▪ I must remember to dig out that book for you.

dig up [dig sth<=>up] phr v

1.) to remove something from the earth using a ↑spade

▪ I'll dig up that plant and move it.

2.) to remove the surface of an area of ground, road etc, or to make holes in it

▪ They're digging up the road just outside my flat.

3.) to find hidden or forgotten information by careful searching

▪ They tried to dig up something from his past to spoil his chances of being elected.

dig ²

dig² n

1.) a joke or remark that you make to annoy or criticize someone

dig at

▪ He couldn't resist a dig at the referee.

▪ Here was a chance to have a dig at trade unionists.

2.) give sb a dig

to push someone quickly and lightly with your finger or elbow

▪ Ginnie gave her sister a dig in the ribs.

3.) an organized process of digging in order to find ancient objects for study

▪ an archaeological dig

4.) digs [plural] BrE old-fashioned a room that you pay rent to live in

in digs

▪ He's 42 and still living in digs .