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

The White House has dug in this week on its refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from El Salvador’s custody. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025

Gardening tools set of 10: on sale for $28.49 (29% off) Original price: $39.99 (Amazon) Spring is here, and anyone who loves digging in the dirt will enjoy a basket filled with gardening essentials. —Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025

With these reassuring words spoken into a microphone, Elisa Sunga sent off a horde of cake lovers to weave around two long tables topped with 162 cakes and dig in. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Yet after days of digging in, Trump less than 24 hours later had relented and announced a 10% reciprocal tariff - lower than what many countries faced - for everyone except China for 90 days. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dig in

• trigone

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