dig
♦ dig /d'ɪg/ (digs digging dug)
1 [VERB] V, V n, V through n, V for n
If people or animals dig, they make a hole in the ground or in a pile of earth, stones, or rubbish.
They tried digging in a patch just below the cave...
Dig a largish hole and bang the stake in first...
Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims...
They dug for shellfish at low tide...
2 [VERB] V into/in n
If you dig into something such as a deep container, you put your hand in it to search for something.
He dug into his coat pocket for his keys.
= delve
3 [VERB] V n into n, V into n
If you dig one thing into another or if one thing digs into another, the first thing is pushed hard into the second, or presses hard into it.
She digs the serving spoon into the moussaka...
He could feel the beads digging into his palm...
4 [VERB] V into n, V into n
If you dig into a subject or a store of information, you study it very carefully in order to discover or check facts.
The enquiry dug deeper into the alleged financial misdeeds of his government...
He has been digging into the local archives...
= probe
5 [VERB] V pron-refl
If you dig yourself out of a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one which you caused yourself, you manage to get out of it.
He's taken these measures to try and dig himself out of a hole.
6 [N-COUNT] oft on N
A dig is an organized activity in which people dig into the ground in order to discover ancient historical objects.
He's an archaeologist and has been on a dig in Crete for the past year.
= excavation
7 [N-COUNT] usu N at n
If you have a dig at someone, you say something which is intended to make fun of them or upset them.
She couldn't resist a dig at Dave after his unfortunate performance.
= gibe
8 [N-COUNT]
If you give someone a dig in a part of their body, you push them with your finger or your elbow, usually as a warning or as a joke.
9 [N-PLURAL] oft in N
If you live in digs, you live in a room in someone else's house and pay them rent. (BRIT INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)
He went to London and lived in digs in Gloucester Road...
= lodgings
10
to dig one's heels in: see heeldig around
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P in n, also V P
If you dig around in a place or container, you search for something in every part of it.
I went home to dig around in my closets for some old tapes.
= rummage around
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you dig around, you try to find information about someone or something.
They said, after digging around, the photo was a fake.dig in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n
If you dig a substance in, or dig it into the soil, you mix it into the soil by digging.
I usually dig in a small barrow load of compost in late summer...
To dig calcium into the soil, he warned, does not help the plant.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V pron-refl P, V-ed P
When soldiers dig in or dig themselves in, they dig trenches and prepare themselves for an attack by the enemy.
The battalion went directly to the airport to begin digging in...
The enemy must be digging themselves in now ready for the attack...
Our forces are dug in along the river.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If someone digs in, or digs into some food, they start eating eagerly. If you tell someone to dig in, you are inviting them to start eating, and encouraging them to eat as much as they want. (INFORMAL)
`Listen,' said Daisy, digging into her oatmeal...
Pull up a chair and dig in!
= tuck indig out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you dig someone or something out of a place, you get them out by digging or by forcing them from the things surrounding them.
...digging minerals out of the Earth...
She dug out a photograph from under a pile of papers.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you dig something out, you find it after it has been stored, hidden, or forgotten for a long time. (INFORMAL)
Recently, I dug out Barstow's novel and read it again...
We'll try and dig the number out for you if you want it.dig up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you dig up something, you remove it from the ground where it has been buried or planted.
You would have to dig up the plant yourself...
Dig it up once the foliage has died down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you dig up an area of land, you dig holes in it.
Yesterday they continued the search, digging up the back yard of a police station.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, also V n P
If you dig up information or facts, you discover something that has not previously been widely known.
Managers are too expensive and important to spend time digging up market information...
His description fits perfectly the evidence dug up by Clyde.
= unearth
1 [VERB] V, V n, V through n, V for n
If people or animals dig, they make a hole in the ground or in a pile of earth, stones, or rubbish.
They tried digging in a patch just below the cave...
Dig a largish hole and bang the stake in first...
Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims...
They dug for shellfish at low tide...
2 [VERB] V into/in n
If you dig into something such as a deep container, you put your hand in it to search for something.
He dug into his coat pocket for his keys.
= delve
3 [VERB] V n into n, V into n
If you dig one thing into another or if one thing digs into another, the first thing is pushed hard into the second, or presses hard into it.
She digs the serving spoon into the moussaka...
He could feel the beads digging into his palm...
4 [VERB] V into n, V into n
If you dig into a subject or a store of information, you study it very carefully in order to discover or check facts.
The enquiry dug deeper into the alleged financial misdeeds of his government...
He has been digging into the local archives...
= probe
5 [VERB] V pron-refl
If you dig yourself out of a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one which you caused yourself, you manage to get out of it.
He's taken these measures to try and dig himself out of a hole.
6 [N-COUNT] oft on N
A dig is an organized activity in which people dig into the ground in order to discover ancient historical objects.
He's an archaeologist and has been on a dig in Crete for the past year.
= excavation
7 [N-COUNT] usu N at n
If you have a dig at someone, you say something which is intended to make fun of them or upset them.
She couldn't resist a dig at Dave after his unfortunate performance.
= gibe
8 [N-COUNT]
If you give someone a dig in a part of their body, you push them with your finger or your elbow, usually as a warning or as a joke.
9 [N-PLURAL] oft in N
If you live in digs, you live in a room in someone else's house and pay them rent. (BRIT INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)
He went to London and lived in digs in Gloucester Road...
= lodgings
10
to dig one's heels in: see heeldig around
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P in n, also V P
If you dig around in a place or container, you search for something in every part of it.
I went home to dig around in my closets for some old tapes.
= rummage around
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you dig around, you try to find information about someone or something.
They said, after digging around, the photo was a fake.dig in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n
If you dig a substance in, or dig it into the soil, you mix it into the soil by digging.
I usually dig in a small barrow load of compost in late summer...
To dig calcium into the soil, he warned, does not help the plant.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V pron-refl P, V-ed P
When soldiers dig in or dig themselves in, they dig trenches and prepare themselves for an attack by the enemy.
The battalion went directly to the airport to begin digging in...
The enemy must be digging themselves in now ready for the attack...
Our forces are dug in along the river.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If someone digs in, or digs into some food, they start eating eagerly. If you tell someone to dig in, you are inviting them to start eating, and encouraging them to eat as much as they want. (INFORMAL)
`Listen,' said Daisy, digging into her oatmeal...
Pull up a chair and dig in!
= tuck indig out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P of n, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you dig someone or something out of a place, you get them out by digging or by forcing them from the things surrounding them.
...digging minerals out of the Earth...
She dug out a photograph from under a pile of papers.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you dig something out, you find it after it has been stored, hidden, or forgotten for a long time. (INFORMAL)
Recently, I dug out Barstow's novel and read it again...
We'll try and dig the number out for you if you want it.dig up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you dig up something, you remove it from the ground where it has been buried or planted.
You would have to dig up the plant yourself...
Dig it up once the foliage has died down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you dig up an area of land, you dig holes in it.
Yesterday they continued the search, digging up the back yard of a police station.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, also V n P
If you dig up information or facts, you discover something that has not previously been widely known.
Managers are too expensive and important to spend time digging up market information...
His description fits perfectly the evidence dug up by Clyde.
= unearth