dig in

verb

dug in; digging in; digs in

transitive verb

1

: to cover or incorporate by burying

dig in compost

2

: to establish in a dug defensive position

the platoon was well dug in

intransitive verb

1

: to establish a defensive position especially by digging trenches

2

a

: to go resolutely to work

b

: to begin eating

3

: to hold stubbornly to a position

4

: to scuff the ground for better footing while batting (as in baseball)

Phrases

dig in one's heels

: to take or persist in an uncompromising position or attitude despite opposition

Examples of dig in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among those already dug in are Shake Shack, Five Guys, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, BurgerFi, Culver’s. —James A. Jones Jr., Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

Serve and dig in! Method 2: Make Your Pancakes Ahead Get on top of your breakfast game by making your pancakes ahead. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2024

Senior Hugo Newton had four digs in the first set, and teammate Raul Henriquez had six kills. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

The head and tail were steady as the cat lunged, turned 90 degrees to get on the fox, then dug in. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

dig in

verb

1

: to dig and take position in a trench

the soldiers dug in

2

a

: to go to work

b

: to begin eating