1dig 
/ˈdɪg/ verb
digs; dug /ˈdɪg/ verb /ˈdʌg/; dig·ging 1 a [no obj] : to move soil, sand, snow, etc., in order to create a hole
▪ Some animal has been digging in the garden. ▪ They dug into the sand with their hands. ▪ He dug down about 10 feet before he hit water.
b [+ obj] : to form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing soil, sand, snow, etc.
▪ Dig a hole three feet deep. ▪ The first step in building a house is to dig the foundation. ▪ The prisoners escaped by digging a tunnel under the fence. 2 [+ obj] : to uncover (something that is underground) by moving earth, soil, sand, etc.
▪ digging potatoes ▪ digging clams on the beach — see also dig for (below) 3 [no obj] : to look for information about something
▪ These detectives won't stop digging until they find out what happened. 4 slang a [+ obj] : to like or admire (someone or something)
▪ I really dig this music.
b : to understand or appreciate (someone or something) [+ obj] ▪ You dig me? [no obj] ▪ We don't want you here. You dig?
c [+ obj] : to pay attention to or look at (someone or something)
▪ Hey, dig that hat. ◊Senses 4b and 4c have an old-fashioned quality. They are still used, but they are often intended to suggest the language of the 1950s and '60s. Sense 4a is somewhat more common. 5 : to reach for something [no obj] ▪ She dug (around) in her purse for her keys. : to put (your hand) into something [+ obj] ▪ He dug his hands into his pockets.
▪ Some animal has been digging in the garden. ▪ They dug into the sand with their hands. ▪ He dug down about 10 feet before he hit water.
b [+ obj] : to form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing soil, sand, snow, etc.
▪ Dig a hole three feet deep. ▪ The first step in building a house is to dig the foundation. ▪ The prisoners escaped by digging a tunnel under the fence.
▪ digging potatoes ▪ digging clams on the beach — see also dig for (below)
▪ These detectives won't stop digging until they find out what happened.
▪ I really dig this music.
b : to understand or appreciate (someone or something) [+ obj] ▪ You dig me? [no obj] ▪ We don't want you here. You dig?
c [+ obj] : to pay attention to or look at (someone or something)
▪ Hey, dig that hat. ◊Senses 4b and 4c have an old-fashioned quality. They are still used, but they are often intended to suggest the language of the 1950s and '60s. Sense 4a is somewhat more common.
dig for [phrasal verb]
dig for (something) : to search for (something) by digging
▪ miners digging for coal — often used figuratively ▪ The police have been digging for clues to help solve this murder.
▪ miners digging for coal — often used figuratively ▪ The police have been digging for clues to help solve this murder.
dig in [phrasal verb] 1 dig (something) in or dig in (something) : to mix (something) into the soil in the ground by digging
▪ dig the compost in 2 dig in or dig (yourself) in : to dig a trench and take position inside it
▪ The soldiers dug in and waited for the enemy to approach. ▪ The soldiers dug themselves in. — often used figuratively ▪ We just have to dig in and prepare ourselves for the tough times ahead. 3 informal : to begin eating
▪ Just grab a plate and dig in. 4 dig in your heels or dig your heels in : to behave in a stubborn way : to refuse to change
▪ The salesman dug in his heels and refused to lower the price any further.
▪ dig the compost in
▪ The soldiers dug in and waited for the enemy to approach. ▪ The soldiers dug themselves in. — often used figuratively ▪ We just have to dig in and prepare ourselves for the tough times ahead.
▪ Just grab a plate and dig in.
▪ The salesman dug in his heels and refused to lower the price any further.
dig into [phrasal verb] 1 dig (something) into (something) : to mix (something) into (soil) by digging
▪ dig the compost into the soil 2 dig into (something) a informal : to begin eating (something)
▪ The family was digging into a delicious meal. ▪ They dug into their steaks.
b somewhat informal : to try to learn or uncover information by studying (something)
▪ The detectives dug into his past and learned that he had once lived in another country. 3 dig (something) into (something) or dig into (something) : to push against (a body part) in a sharp and painful way
▪ The bed's springs are digging into my back. ▪ Her fingernails dug into my hand. = She dug her fingernails into my hand. ▪ He dug his elbow into my ribs.
▪ dig the compost into the soil
▪ The family was digging into a delicious meal. ▪ They dug into their steaks.
b somewhat informal : to try to learn or uncover information by studying (something)
▪ The detectives dug into his past and learned that he had once lived in another country.
▪ The bed's springs are digging into my back. ▪ Her fingernails dug into my hand. = She dug her fingernails into my hand. ▪ He dug his elbow into my ribs.
dig out [phrasal verb]
dig (something) out or dig out (something) 1 : to get (something) by searching
▪ I dug some old books out of the attic. ▪ She dug out some change from her purse. 2 : to get (something) out of soil, sand, snow, etc., by digging
▪ We had to dig the car out of the snow after the storm. ▪ We spent the afternoon digging out [=shoveling snow] after the blizzard.
▪ I dug some old books out of the attic. ▪ She dug out some change from her purse.
▪ We had to dig the car out of the snow after the storm. ▪ We spent the afternoon digging out [=shoveling snow] after the blizzard.
dig up [phrasal verb]
dig up (something) or dig (something) up 1 : to uncover or find (something) by digging
▪ They dug up [=unearthed] buried treasure. ▪ digging up large rocks ▪ I want to move this bush. Will you help me dig it up? 2 informal : to discover (information)
▪ The investigators did a lot of research to dig up the facts.
▪ They dug up [=unearthed] buried treasure. ▪ digging up large rocks ▪ I want to move this bush. Will you help me dig it up?
▪ The investigators did a lot of research to dig up the facts.
dig up (the) dirt — see dirt
dig your own grave
: to behave in a way that will cause you to lose or fail
▪ The coach dug his own grave when he publicly insulted the team's owner.
▪ The coach dug his own grave when he publicly insulted the team's owner.
