Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense digs, present participle digging, past tense, past participle dug
1. verb
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. [VERB]
Dig a largish hole and bang the stake in first. [VERB noun]
Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims. [VERB + through]
They dug for shellfish at low tide. [VERB + for]
Two men were standing by the freshly dug grave. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: hollow out, mine, bore, cut More Synonyms of dig
2. verb
If you diginto 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. [V + into/in]
Synonyms: search, hunt, rummage, root More Synonyms of dig
3. verb
If you dig one thing into another or if one thing digsinto another, the first thing is pushed hard into the second, or presses hard into it.
She digs the serving spoon into the moussaka. [VERB noun + into]
I grab George's arm and dig my nails into his flesh. [VERB noun into noun]
He could feel the beads digging into his palm. [VERB + into]
Graham was standing there, his hands dug into the pockets of his baggy white trousers. [VERB-ed]
4. verb
If you dig into a subject or a store of information, you study it very carefully in order to discoveror check facts.
The enquiry dug deeper into the alleged financial misdeeds of his government. [VERB + into]
He has been digging into the local archives. [VERB + into]
With so many books on the subject, one must dig hard for reliable new material. [VERB adverb]
5. verb
If you digyourself 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. [V pron-refl prep]
6. verb
If you say that you dig something, you mean that you like it and understand it.
[informal, old-fashioned]
'They play classic rock'n'roll,' states her boyfriend, 'My dad digs them too.'. [VERB noun]
I can dig it. I don't expect a band always to be innovative. [VERBit]
7. countable noun [oft onNOUN]
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.
8. countable noun
If you have a digat 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. [+ at]
Synonyms: cutting remark, crack [slang], insult, taunt More Synonyms of dig
9. countable noun
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.
Cassandra silenced him with a sharp dig in the small of the back.
Synonyms: poke, thrust, butt, nudge More Synonyms of dig
10. plural noun [oft inNOUN]
If you live indigs, you live in a room in someone else's house and pay them rent.
[British, informal, old-fashioned]
He went to London and lived in digs in Gloucester Road.
11.
See dig deep
12.
See dig into one's pockets/purse
13. to dig one's heels in
Phrasal verbs:
See dig around
See dig in
See dig out
See dig over
See dig up
More Synonyms of dig
dig in British English
(dɪɡ)
verbWord forms: digs, digging or dug
1. (whentr, often foll by up)
to cut into, break up, and turn over or remove (earth, soil, etc), esp with a spade
2.
to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, passage, etc) by digging, usually with an implement or (of animals) with feet, claws, etc
to dig a tunnel
3. (often foll by through)
to make or force (one's way), esp by removing obstructions
he dug his way through the crowd
4. (tr; often foll by out or up)
to obtain by digging
to dig potatoes
to dig up treasure
5. (tr; often foll by out or up)
to find or discover by effort or searching
to dig out unexpected facts
6. (tr; foll by in or into)
to thrust or jab (a sharp instrument, weapon, etc); poke
he dug his spurs into the horse's side
7. (tr; foll by in or into)
to mix (compost, etc) with soil by digging
8. (transitive) informal
to like, understand, or appreciate
9. (intransitive) US slang
to work hard, esp for an examination
10. (intransitive) British informal
to have lodgings
I dig in South London
noun
11.
the act of digging
12.
a thrust or poke, esp in the ribs
13.
a cutting or sarcastic remark
14. informal
an archaeological excavation
Word origin
C13 diggen, of uncertain origin
Dig in British English
(dɪɡ)
noun
New Zealand informal short for Digger (sense 1)
dig in American English1
(dɪg)
verb transitiveWord forms: dug or ˈdigging
1.
to break and turn up or remove (ground, etc.) with a spade or other tool, or with hands, claws, snout, etc.
2.
to make (a hole, cellar, one's way, etc.) by or as by doing this
3.
to uncover and get from the ground or another surface in this way
to dig potatoes, to dig a nail out of a board
4. US
to find out, as by careful study or investigation; unearth
usually with up or out
to dig out the truth
5.
to thrust, jab, or prod
to dig an elbow into someone's ribs
6. US, Slang
a.
to understand
b.
to approve of or like
c.
to notice; look at
dig that shirt!
verb intransitive
7.
to dig the ground or any surface
8.
to make a way by or as by digging (through, into, under)
9. US, Informal
to work or study hard
noun
10.
the act of digging
11. Informal
a thrust, poke, nudge, etc.
12. Informal
a sarcastic comment; taunt; gibe
13.
an archaeological excavation or its site
14. [pl.] Chiefly British, Informal
living quarters; lodgings
Idioms:
dig in
dig in one's heels
dig into
Word origin
ME diggen < Anglo-Fr *diguer < OFr digue, dike < Du dijk: see dike1
dig in American English2
digest
More idioms containing
dig
dig in your heels
dig your own grave
dig up dirt on someone
Examples of 'dig' in a sentence
dig
Video shot from a helicopter showed rescue workers digging holes in the roof of the collapsed building.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They will either be moved to new artificial setts or protected from the impact of the line by tunnels dug beneath it.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You also dug deep to give more than 100,000 in cash.
The Sun (2016)
Although lawn lovers are not fans, their digging boosts soil nutrients.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is generally thought that when one is in a hole, one should stop digging.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I went back online to dig around.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'd like to dig in and just get results.
The Sun (2016)
An archaeological dig turns up a body, but one that is 2,000 years old.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She was so keen to comply with his request that she had dug up his body after he was buried and taken it to Italy for burning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is then cut down, left to wilt and dug into the ground, returning the nutrients to the soil.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You just dig it and listen to the man.
The Sun (2014)
When you go digging they usually give it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Well rotted garden compost is just the stuff to dig into the soil ahead of autumn planting.
The Sun (2013)
It will take a lot of hard work to dig ourselves out of this hole.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The leftover pulp has no use and is dug back into the ground.
Wild, Anthony The East India Company Book of Coffee (1994)
We were digging for one and a half hours.
The Sun (2012)
This can be done at the exhibition by examining historic objects found during archaeological digs.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He worked out it is cheaper to buy a boat than rent digs.
The Sun (2016)
WE'VE dug up another fantastic toy giveaway for you.
The Sun (2012)
What on earth will she dig up?
The Sun (2014)
We really had to dig deep and the players put their bodies on the line.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You can dig your fingers into it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But the most dangerous ordeal involved a pit dug into the ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yesterday churchgoers were still burying the dead and digging up body parts.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
So they dug a hole and planted us deeper in the ground.
The Sun (2014)
It could still take six weeks to dig an escape tunnel.
The Sun (2010)
People who dig for treasure always find it.
E. Nesbit The Treasure Seekers (1899)
There is a right way to dig just as there is a right way for many jobs.
The Sun (2011)
Surely it takes more than a sly dig at her lacklustre routine and outfit colour to truly offend her?
The Sun (2010)
Nor can he resist a dig.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Archaeologists digging at the ruins of a 12th-century abbey have unearthed a medieval poker chip.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We have come to Elland Road dug deep and played well.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We were not at our best but in that situation it's important to dig in and give yourself a chance of getting a result, which we did.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
dig
British English: dig /dɪɡ/ VERB
When people or animals dig, they make a hole in the ground or in a pile of stones or debris.
He dug a hole in the lawn.
Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims.
American English: dig
Arabic: يَحْفِرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: cavar
Chinese: 挖
Croatian: kopati
Czech: kopat v zemi
Danish: grave
Dutch: graven
European Spanish: cavar
Finnish: kaivaa
French: creuser
German: graben
Greek: σκάβω
Italian: scavare
Japanese: 掘る
Korean: (...을) 파다
Norwegian: grave
Polish: kopnąć
European Portuguese: cavar
Romanian: a săpa
Russian: копать
Latin American Spanish: cavar
Swedish: gräva
Thai: ขุด
Turkish: kazmak
Ukrainian: копати
Vietnamese: đào bới
All related terms of 'dig'
dig in
If you dig a substance in , or dig it into the soil , you mix it into the soil by digging.
dig up
If you dig up something, you remove it from the ground where it has been buried or planted.
dig out
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.
dig deep
If you dig deep , you do a very thorough investigation into something.
dig into
to penetrate by or as by digging
dig over
If you dig over an area of soil , you dig it thoroughly, so that the soil becomes looser and free from lumps .
grim dig
an obdurate soldier
infra dig
beneath one's dignity
dig around
If you dig around in a place or container, you search for something in every part of it.
dig in one's heels
to refuse to give up or modify one's opinion , policy, attitude , etc., esp. when faced with opposition
dig in your heels
to refuse to do something such as change your opinions or plans, especially when someone is trying very hard to make you do so
dig one's heels in
to refuse stubbornly to move or be persuaded
dig your own grave
to put yourself in a difficult situation by doing something wrong or making foolish mistakes
dig one's own grave
If you say that someone is digging their own grave , you are warning them that they are doing something foolish or dangerous that will cause their own failure.
dig up dirt on someone
to search for any information about someone that may damage their reputation
to dig one's heels in
If you dig your heels in or dig in your heels , you refuse to do something such as change your opinions or plans , especially when someone is trying very hard to make you do so.
dig into one's pockets/purse
If someone digs into their pocket or digs into their purse , they manage after some difficulty to find the money to pay for something.
dip into your pocket
to pay for something with your own money
Chinese translation of 'dig'
dig
(dɪɡ)
Word forms:ptppdug
vt
[hole]挖 (wā)
[garden]掘土 (juétǔ)
to dig sth into sth (= sink) 将(將)某物伸进(進)某物 (jiāng mǒuwù shēnjìn mǒuwù)
vi
(with spade) 挖掘 (wājué)
to dig into sth (= sink) 戳进(進) (chuōjìn)
n
(= prod)
to give sb a dig in the ribs戳了某人肋部一下 (chuōle mǒurén lèibù yīxià)
(c) (= excavation) (also archaeological dig)
考古挖掘 (kǎogǔ wājué) (次, cì)
(inf)
to have/take a dig at sb (= criticism) 挖苦某人 (wākǔ mǒurén)
All related terms of 'dig'
dig in
( soldiers ) 挖壕固守 wāháo gùshǒu
dig out
( survivors, car ) 发(發)掘出 fājué chū
dig up
( plant, body ) 挖出 wāchū
dig into
( savings ) 动(動)用 dòngyòng
to dig into sth
( sink ) 戳进(進) chuōjìn
to dig sth into sth
( sink ) 将(將)某物伸进(進)某物 jiāng mǒuwù shēnjìn mǒuwù
to dig one's heels in
( fig ) 坚(堅)持自己的立场(場) jiānchí zìjǐ de lìchǎng
to have/take a dig at sb
( criticism ) 挖苦某人 wākǔ mǒurén
to give sb a dig in the ribs
戳了某人肋部一下 chuōle mǒurén lèibù yīxià
1 (verb)
Definition
to excavate (a hole or tunnel) by digging, usually with an implement or (of animals) with claws
Dig a large hole and bang the stake in.
Synonyms
hollow out
mine
not enough coal to be mined economically
bore
Get the special drill bit to bore the correct-size hole.
cut
Thieves cut a hole in the fence.
Cut the branches back with a saw.
pierce
Her words pierced Lydia's heart like an arrow.
quarry
The large limestone caves are also quarried for cement.
excavate
A team of archaeologists is excavating the site.
gouge
quarries which have gouged great holes in the hills
scoop out
2 (verb)
Definition
to excavate (a hole or tunnel) by digging, usually with an implement or (of animals) with claws
I changed into clothes more suited to digging.
Synonyms
delve
tunnel
The rebels tunnelled out of a maximum security jail.
burrow
He burrowed into the pile of charts.
grub
chickens grubbing around in the dirt for food
break up earth or soil
3 (verb)
Definition
to cut into, break up, and turn over or remove (earth), esp. with a spade
He was outside digging the garden.
Synonyms
turn over
till
freshly tilled fields
break up
work
Farmers worked the fertile valleys.
hoe
4 (verb)
He dug around in his pocket for his keys.
Synonyms
search
Armed troops searched the hospital yesterday.
hunt
rummage
They rummage through piles of second-hand clothes.
root
She rooted through the bag.
delve
He delved into his rucksack and pulled out a folder.
forage
They were forced to forage for clothes and fuel.
dig down
fossick (Australian, New Zealand)
If you fossick around in some specialist music stores, you may be lucky enough to find a copy.
5 (verb)
Definition
to thrust or jab
She dug her nails into the armrest.
Synonyms
poke
Lindy poked him in the ribs.
drive
I used the sledgehammer to drive the pegs in.
push
They pushed him into the car.
stick
They stuck a needle in my back.
The knife stuck in his chest.
punch
stab
Bess stabbed at a slice of cucumber.
thrust
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
shove
He shoved her out of the way.
prod
He prodded Murray with the broom.
jab
The needle was jabbed into my arm by a nurse.
6 (verb)
Definition
to like or understand
(informal)
I really dig this band's energy.
Synonyms
like
He likes baseball.
love
We loved the food so much, especially the fish dishes.
enjoy
He enjoys playing cricket.
go for
appreciate
Anyone can appreciate our music.
groove (obsolete, slang)
delight in
be fond of
be keen on
be partial to
I am partial to red wine.
7 (verb)
Definition
to like or understand
(informal)
Can you dig what I'm trying to say?
Synonyms
understand
I think you understand my meaning.
follow
Can you follow the plot so far?
grasp
The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis.
make out
get the drift of (informal)
1 (noun)
Definition
a cutting remark
She couldn't resist a dig at him after his unfortunate performance.
Synonyms
cutting remark
crack (slang)
He made a nasty crack about her weight.
insult
taunt
For years they suffered racist taunts.
sneer
Best-selling authors may have to face the sneers of the literati.
jeer
the heckling and jeers of his audience
quip
a deadpan quip
barb
The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would.
wisecrack (informal)
He kept making wisecracks about her weight.
gibe
2 (noun)
Definition
a thrust or poke
She silenced him with a sharp dig in the small of the back.
Synonyms
poke
John smiled and gave Rashid a playful poke.
thrust
a thrust of his hand that sent the lad reeling
butt
nudge
She slipped her arm under his and gave him a nudge.
prod
He gave the donkey a prod in the backside.
jab
He gave me a jab in the side.
punch
He's asking for a punch on the nose.
(plural noun)
Definition
lodgings
(British, informal)
He went to the city and lived in digs.
Synonyms
rented accommodation
rooms
quarters
Mckinnon went down from the deck to the officers' quarters.
lodgings
rented apartments
Phrasal verbs
See dig in
See dig into something
See dig something or someone out
See dig something or someone up
See dig yourself in
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appreciate
Definition
to value highly
Anyone can appreciate our music.
Synonyms
enjoy,
like,
value,
regard,
respect,
prize,
admire,
treasure,
esteem,
relish,
cherish,
savour,
rate highly
in the sense of barb
Definition
a cutting remark
The barb stung her exactly the way he hoped it would.