dig

To make a hole by removing earth or other material with a tool or your hands.

• Let us dig a hole.
• They dug a trench behind the house.
• The dog is digging in the garden.

How to use it: dig something in something (We dug a hole in the sand.)

Similar words: excavate

Opposites: fill

Common phrases: dig a hole, dig a trench, dig in soil

To remove something from the ground by moving the earth around it.

• We dig potatoes in autumn.
• They dug up a box of coins.
• She is digging onions for dinner.

How to use it: dig something up (We dug the old roots up yesterday.)

Similar words: unearth

Opposites: bury

Common phrases: dig up potatoes, dig up something, dig for gold

To search inside something, often by moving things around with your hands.

• I dug in my bag for a pen.
• She was digging through a pile of papers.
• Can you dig through that drawer for the receipt?

How to use it: dig through something for something (She dug through her bag for her keys.); dig in something for something (He dug in his pocket for a coin.)

Similar words: rummage, search

Common phrases: dig through something, dig for something, dig in something

To discover hidden facts about someone that may damage their reputation.

• They tried to dig up dirt on her.
• Reporters dug up embarrassing details about his past.
• Will the investigation dig up more secrets?

How to use it: dig up dirt on someone (The reporter dug up dirt on the mayor.)

Similar words: uncover, unearth

Common phrases: dig up dirt, dig up secrets, dig into something

If you make a hole for yourself with your actions, you create problems that are hard to escape.

• Do not dig yourself into a hole.
• She dug herself a deeper hole with another excuse.
• He keeps digging himself into trouble by making promises.

How to use it: dig yourself a hole (He dug himself a hole by lying to his boss.); dig yourself into a hole (Every excuse digs you further into a hole.)

Common phrases: dig a hole, dig yourself deeper

To like or enjoy someone or something.

• I dig your new jacket.
• She really digs this band.
• Do you dig the new sound?

Similar words: like, enjoy

Opposites: dislike

Common phrases: dig your style, dig this music, really dig something

A short comment that criticizes someone, often in an indirect or teasing way.

• That was a dig at me.
• She could not resist a sly dig at his cooking.
• His speech included several digs at his rivals.

How to use it: a dig at someone/something (His joke was a dig at the management.)

Similar words: jibe, barb

Common phrases: dig at someone, a sly dig, a personal dig

A place where people remove earth, often to find old objects or bones.

• They found pottery at the dig.
• Students are working on a dig near the river.
• The dig uncovered the walls of an ancient house.

Similar words: excavation site

Common phrases: archaeological dig, a dig site, work on a dig