bog in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “bog in” mean?
To start eating something with enthusiasm or gusto.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To start eating something with enthusiasm or gusto; to eat heartily.
To begin any activity with vigour, energy, or wholehearted enthusiasm. Often implies a somewhat informal, energetic, or even slightly messy engagement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is known and used in informal British English (especially influenced by Antipodean usage) but is far more common and core to Australian and New Zealand English. It is very rare in standard American English, where 'dig in' or 'tuck in' would be preferred equivalents.
Connotations
In BrE/AnE, it has connotations of rustic, hearty, informal eating. Not considered vulgar. In AmE, it would likely be misunderstood or sound distinctly foreign.
Frequency
High frequency in informal Australian/NZ contexts. Low frequency in informal UK contexts. Extremely low to zero in general AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “bog in” in a Sentence
[Imperative] Bog in![Intransitive] They bogged in.[Intransitive + Adverbial] He bogged in with gusto.[Intransitive + Prepositional Phrase] We bogged in to the barbecue.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bog in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The food's on the table, everyone bog in!
- After the long hike, we all bogged in to the stew.
- Stop chatting and bog in before it gets cold.
American English
- (Not used in standard AmE; 'dig in' would be used instead) The pizza's here, everyone dig in!
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly unlikely. Might be used metaphorically and humorously in very informal team settings (e.g., "Let's bog in to this data").
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Common in informal eating contexts, especially in Australia/NZ: at barbecues, family meals, casual dinners.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bog in”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it in American English where it is unfamiliar.
- Trying to use it transitively (e.g., "He bogged in the pizza" is wrong; "He bogged in to the pizza" is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. It's informal and hearty, but in the right context (a casual meal with friends or family), it's friendly and encouraging.
It's not recommended, as most Americans will not be familiar with the phrase. Use 'dig in' or 'let's get started' instead to avoid confusion.
It is believed to originate from Australian English in the early 20th century. The 'bog' part likely relates to the idea of becoming deeply and messily involved in something, akin to wading in a bog.
Primarily, yes. However, it is sometimes extended metaphorically to mean starting any task with vigour (e.g., 'Let's bog in and finish this work'). The eating sense remains the most common.
To start eating something with enthusiasm or gusto.
Bog in is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Bog in: in British English it is pronounced /bɒɡ ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːɡ ɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bog in, the lot's getting cold!”
- “Don't wait for me, just bog in.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hungry person wading through a BOG to get to a delicious picnic on the other side. They finally arrive and BOG IN to the food enthusiastically.
Conceptual Metaphor
EATING IS VIGOROUS/MESSY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (like wading through a bog).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'bog in' MOST commonly and naturally used?