dig
dig — verb
1. to create a hole or opening in the ground by taking away earth with your hands,
to create a hole or opening in the ground by taking away earth with your hands, a shovel, or a machine, often when preparing land for planting seeds or putting up a structure
Layla dug a shallow hole in the backyard with a small shovel.
dig + noun + location phrase
The farmer spent the whole morning digging in the field before the rains came.
intransitive: dig + adverbial of place
Adina watched her mother dig up the hard soil for the new fence posts.
dig up + noun (what is being removed)
The ground was too dry to dig without first pouring water on it.
Joon and his brother dug together, taking turns with the heavy pickaxe.
- dig a hole
- dig the ground
- dig the soil
- dig a trench
- dig a garden
- dig with a shovel
- dig with a spade
- dig deeper
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun (location)
dig + adverbial
dig + adverbial of direction
Usage Note
This sense is the core physical meaning of dig. Both transitive (dig something) and intransitive (dig in something) patterns are equally common. The phrasal verb dig up is frequently used with this sense to mean 'remove soil from the ground'.
Common Mistakes
2. to make a hole, channel, or hollow space in the ground by removing material from
to make a hole, channel, or hollow space in the ground by removing material from that space
The workers dug a tunnel through the mountain for the new railway line.
dig + noun (structure/result) through + medium
Devika dug a small pit in the sand for the campfire.
Théo and his friends dug a deep trench around their tent to stop the rain.
The rescue team dug a narrow channel through the rubble to reach the trapped people.
A narrow passage had been dug under the wall for the pipes to go through.
passive: result of digging
- dig a hole
- dig a tunnel
- dig a pit
- dig a well
- dig a trench
- dig a channel
- dig a passage
- fill in
to put material back into a hole so it disappears
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun (hole/pit/tunnel)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (BREAK UP SOIL): sense 1 focuses on the action of moving soil, while sense 2 focuses on the result or structure created. You dig (up) a garden bed (sense 1), but you dig a hole or tunnel (sense 2). The object in this sense names the cavity itself.
3. to remove something buried or hidden from the ground by using a tool or your han
to remove something buried or hidden from the ground by using a tool or your hands to get it out
The children dug old coins out of the sand at the beach.
dig + noun + out of + place
Nicholas dug up the potatoes he had planted three months earlier.
dig up + noun (crops)
The archaeologists dug several ancient pots from the burial site.
Mayumi carefully dug the weed out of the flowerbed so the roots came out too.
After the storm, Roya dug her bicycle out from under the fallen leaves.
dig + noun + out from under + noun
- dig up potatoes
- dig out roots
- dig up treasure
- dig up bones
- dig out weeds
- dig something from the ground
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun (object) out/up
dig + noun + from + noun
Usage Note
The particle up (dig up) or out (dig out) is very common with this sense. Dig up is used for crops, buried objects, or bodies; dig out is used when something is covered or trapped and needs freeing. The simple transitive pattern (dig potatoes) is less common without a particle.
Common Mistakes
4. to search or look carefully through a bag, pile, container, or collection of ite
to search or look carefully through a bag, pile, container, or collection of items, trying to locate a specific object or a fact you need
Élise dug into her handbag for the keys but could not find them.
dig into + container + for + object
The reporter dug through old newspaper records to find the truth.
dig through + noun (collection) + infinitive of purpose
Asher dug around in the drawer looking for a pen that still had ink.
Saira dug deeper into the online archives to find information about her family.
The students dug for the answers in the library instead of asking the teacher.
- dig into a bag
- dig through papers
- dig for information
- dig in a drawer
- dig deeper
- dig around
Grammar Patterns
dig + into + noun
dig + through + noun
dig + for + noun
dig + around
Usage Note
This sense is often used figuratively — you are not digging in soil but searching through papers, documents, bags, or digital files. Common prepositional patterns are dig into, dig through, and dig for. The sense can carry a feeling of effort: you dig when the thing is hard to find.
Common Mistakes
5. to push someone lightly with a finger or elbow, often done so that the person no
to push someone lightly with a finger or elbow, often done so that the person notices something or to share a private joke or opinion with them
Maeve dug her brother in the ribs when the teacher said something funny.
dig + person + in + body part
Felipe dug Christopher with his elbow and whispered that the meeting was over.
During the play, Eve dug her friend and pointed at the actor on stage.
Greta dug her friend in the ribs during the boring speech to share her amusement.
dig + person + in + body part — nudge to share a reaction
The old man dug me in the arm and said, 'Did you see that?'
dig + pronoun + in + body part + quoted speech
- dig someone in the ribs
- dig someone in the arm
- dig with an elbow
- dig a finger into
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun (person) + in + body part
Usage Note
Commonly used with in + a body part (in the ribs, in the arm). The action is usually quick and light — a poke or nudge, not a hard push. This sense is less common in American English, where nudge is more frequent for this meaning.
Common Mistakes
6. in volleyball, to receive a hard-hit ball with your forearms and both hands held
in volleyball, to receive a hard-hit ball with your forearms and both hands held together, stopping the ball from hitting the floor and sending it upward to a teammate
Heloísa dug the spike and sent the ball straight to the setter.
transitive: dig + noun (the ball type)
The player dug low and fast to keep the rally going.
intransitive: dig + adverbial of manner
Madison missed the first serve but dug the second one perfectly.
The team practised digging hard-driven balls from all directions.
Good digging requires keeping your arms straight and your eyes on the ball.
gerund form + requirement clause
- dig a spike
- dig a serve
- dig the ball
- dig low
- dig hard
- dig for the ball
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun (ball)
dig for the ball
Usage Note
This is a technical term used in volleyball. The verb and noun form are identical (a dig is the action of digging). Beginners often confuse it with a set or a pass — a dig specifically receives a hard-hit or served ball using the forearms.
7. to like, enjoy, or approve of something very much, or to understand and apprecia
to like, enjoy, or approve of something very much, or to understand and appreciate something such as music, art, or someone's way of thinking
Amani said she really digs the new album by that band.
informal: dig + noun (art/music)
Théo does not dig classical music but loves jazz and hip hop.
I dig that you want to help, but the decision is not yours to make.
dig + that-clause (understand/accept)
The older students did not dig the new teacher's strict rules at first.
Soraya's friends all dig her sense of humour and her energy.
- dig music
- dig a style
- dig someone's vibe
- dig that
- like
neutral register; less emphatic than dig
- love
stronger than dig but not slang
- be into
similar register to dig; also informal
- appreciate
more formal; less emotional
Grammar Patterns
dig + noun/pronoun
dig + that-clause
Usage Note
This sense is strictly informal (slang). Common in casual conversation but inappropriate in formal writing or exams. It was especially popular in 1960s–70s counterculture but remains in everyday use. The frequency is highest among younger speakers.
Common Mistakes
dig into
phrasal verbto start eating food with enthusiasm; also, to push your hand or a tool into something in order to search or take something
After the long hike, everyone dug into the pasta and salad without saying a word.
Théo dug into his backpack to find the map before they got lost.
dig up
phrasal verbto remove something from the ground by digging; also, to discover information that was hidden or forgotten
The gardener dug up an old metal box while preparing the flowerbed.
The journalist dug up new evidence that changed the course of the trial.
dig out
phrasal verbto get something or someone out of a place by removing material that covers or surrounds them; also, to find something after searching
The rescue team dug out three people who were trapped under the fallen building.
Saira dug out her old photographs from a box in the attic.
dig through
phrasal verbto search through a pile, collection, or mass of things, often in a messy or hurried way
Devika dug through the pile of clothes on her chair looking for her blue jacket.
The mechanic dug through the toolbox to find the right size of wrench.
dig in
phrasal verbTo start eating food with enthusiasm.
The children dug in as soon as the pizza arrived.
After the long hike, everyone dug in hungrily.
dig over
phrasal verbTo turn over the soil in a garden or field using a tool like a spade.
Grandpa dug over the vegetable patch before planting seeds.
We need to dig over the flower beds this weekend.
dig yourself in
phrasal verbTo make a protected position for yourself by digging a trench or hole.
The soldiers dug themselves in before the attack.
We dug ourselves in behind the sandbags for safety.
dig your own grave
idiomto do something that will cause serious problems for yourself in the future, especially by acting in a way that seems to help you now but will hurt you later
The politician dug his own grave by lying to the public about his past.
If you keep spending more than you earn, you are digging your own grave financially.
dig your heels in
idiomto refuse to do something or to refuse to change your opinion or decision, especially in a stubborn way
The union dug its heels in and refused to accept any of the proposed changes.
Every time her parents suggest a different school, Aisha digs her heels in even harder.
dig deep
idiomto make a great effort, often by using hidden strength, energy, or money, in order to achieve something difficult
The runner dug deep in the final kilometre and managed to finish the race.
The charity asked everyone to dig deep and give what they could to help the homeless.
to get yourself into a difficult situation that is hard to escape from, especially by making mistakes or saying the wrong things
He dug himself into a hole by promising things he could not deliver.
The more Layla tried to explain, the deeper she dug herself into a hole.
To look for information very carefully and thoroughly.
The journalist dug deep into the company's financial records.
If you dig deep into the archives, you might find the answer.
To find and make public harmful or embarrassing information about someone.
The reporter dug up dirt on the politician's past.
They hired a detective to dig the dirt on their competitor.
To refuse to change your opinion or do what others want.
My father dug his heels in and refused to sell the house.
The union dug its toes in during the negotiations.
To spend a large amount of your own money on something.
We had to dig deep into our savings to pay for the repairs.
She dug into her pocket to buy the expensive gift.
To push someone gently with your finger or elbow, usually to get their attention.
Maya dug Diego in the ribs to show him the funny sign.
During the play, Sara dug her friend in the ribs and whispered.
To do something that will cause serious problems for yourself in the future.
By lying to the boss, he dug his own grave.
If you keep spending recklessly, you are digging a grave for yourself.
dig — noun
1. a short, sharp comment meant to embarrass or criticise someone, or to make other
a short, sharp comment meant to embarrass or criticise someone, or to make other people laugh at them
Eve could not resist making a dig at her brother about his terrible haircut.
make a dig at + person + about + topic
The comedian's digs at the politicians had the whole audience laughing.
Christopher took the comment as a personal dig and walked out of the room.
The review contained a few digs at the director's earlier films.
Amani's friends exchanged playful digs about each other's cooking all evening.
playful dig — suggests friendly teasing
- make a dig at
- have a dig at
- a dig about something
- a playful dig
- a nasty dig
- a personal dig
- compliment
a positive remark praising someone
Usage Note
Typically used in the phrase make a dig at someone or have a dig at someone. The tone can range from playful teasing (playful dig) to harsh criticism (nasty dig). It is countable — one dig, several digs.
Common Mistakes
2. a place where archaeologists dig up and study ancient objects from the ground; o
a place where archaeologists dig up and study ancient objects from the ground; or the activity of doing such work at a historical site
The students spent the summer working on a Roman dig in the south of France.
on + a/an + location/period + dig
The dig revealed pottery that was over two thousand years old.
Nicholas volunteered at an archaeological dig near his village last summer.
The dig was closed to visitors while the team worked on the ancient burial site.
Felipe decided to study archaeology after visiting a dig in Egypt with his family.
- an archaeological dig
- a Roman dig
- work on a dig
- join a dig
- a dig site
- lead a dig
- excavation
more formal; the standard technical term in archaeology
- site
broader; any place where something happened, not only digging
Usage Note
Frequently used with an adjective specifying the period or type (a Roman dig, an archaeological dig). The word can refer both to the physical site (the place where digging happens) and the project (the organized activity of excavation).
3. in volleyball, the action of receiving a hard-hit ball with your forearms and st
in volleyball, the action of receiving a hard-hit ball with your forearms and stopping it from hitting the floor
Soraya made a perfect dig that saved the point for her team.
make a dig — common verb collocation
The setter called for a dig right before the ball came over the net.
Her quick dig surprised the other team and started a strong attack.
The coach told the players to focus on their digging technique during practice.
digging as gerund — focus on + possessive + technique
Madison's dig was so low that no one saw it coming.
- make a dig
- a good dig
- a perfect dig
- a quick dig
- a low dig
- digging technique
- practice digs
Usage Note
The noun and verb form are identical. As a noun, dig is countable and commonly combines with make (make a dig), have (have a good dig), or practice (practice digs).
4. a room or set of rooms that someone rents to live in, especially temporarily or
a room or set of rooms that someone rents to live in, especially temporarily or as a student
Asher moved into his new digs near the university campus last week.
plural form: digs
The students found some cheap digs in the older part of the city.
Élise invited her classmates over to see her new digs.
The band stayed in rented digs while they recorded their album in London.
His digs were small but clean, with a desk by the window for studying.
- new digs
- cheap digs
- student digs
- rented digs
- move into digs
- share digs
- lodgings
more formal; the standard word dig is short for
- accommodation
more general; covers all types of housing
- place
informal; very common in casual speech
Usage Note
Always used in the plural form (digs, not dig). This is an informal British usage. In American English, place or apartment would be more common. The word carries a slightly old-fashioned or student-oriented feel.
Common Mistakes
dig — abbreviation
1. written abbreviation for digest: a short written summary or collection of inform
written abbreviation for digest: a short written summary or collection of information, news, or articles
For a detailed account of the study, see Reader's Dig. 2024, 58(3), 22–29.
bibliographic citation: 'Title Abbrev. Year, Vol(Issue), Pages'
The library catalogue lists the item as J. Med. Dig. 2023, 45(2), 87–92.
catalogue listing: abbreviated journal name
A summary of the findings appears in Sci. Dig. 2022, 12(4), 55.
For further reading on this topic, consult Eng. Lit. Dig. 2021, 33(1), 14–18.
Usage Note
This abbreviation is mostly found in publishing contexts, cataloguing, or academic reference systems. It is not common in everyday spoken English.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Dig is the most neutral and common word for breaking and moving earth. Excavate is the formal counterpart — used in archaeology, construction, and official reports. You dig a hole in your garden, but an archaeological team excavates a site using careful methods. Burrow describes animal-like digging that creates a tunnel or den, and when used for humans it often implies crawling or crouching (she burrowed through the pile of clothes). Tunnel emphasises the result: a long passage created through an obstacle (the prisoners tunnelled out of the jail). Scoop differs by suggesting a single, rounded motion — you scoop soil out of a hole with your hands or a shovel, which is a smaller action than full digging. In everyday use, dig is the right choice; the others are more specific in meaning or context.
Common collocations
Etymology
Dig comes from the Old English word dic, meaning 'ditch' or 'trench', which itself goes back to a Proto-Germanic root. The verb form dig appears in Middle English (around the 1200s) and gradually replaced the older Old English verb delfan (to dig). The related word ditch also comes from the same Old English source. Over centuries, dig expanded from a simple farming action through figurative uses (dig for information, dig into food) and into modern slang (I dig it, meaning 'I understand' or 'I like it').