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

Why not dig in and fix what’s broken? —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2025

Personality research, like openness to experience in the Big Five model, helps explain why some people chase new challenges while others dig in their heels. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

An archaeological dig in Tanzania unearthed dozens of bone tools dating back about a million and a half years. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Subjects range from a dinosaur fossil dig in Central China, the opening of Cuba to American tourists, the new energy in Vienna and the best seafood spots on Canada’s Prince Edward Island to a luxury camp in Antarctica and the best new restaurant in New York. —Laurie Werner, Forbes, 5 Mar. 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