dig in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, often conversational
Quick answer
What does “dig in” mean?
To begin eating eagerly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin eating eagerly; to physically insert or embed something; to become firmly established.
To prepare for and engage in determined resistance or effort; to start working hard on a task; to accept a situation and deal with it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is remarkably similar. The imperative 'Dig in!' to start eating is equally common. 'Digging in one's heels' (refusing to change) might be slightly more common in BrE texts.
Connotations
Informal in both varieties, though not impolite. In work contexts ('dig into the data'), it suggests energetic, focused effort.
Frequency
High frequency in informal contexts in both regions. The 'begin eating' sense is a standard colloquialism.
Grammar
How to Use “dig in” in a Sentence
[imperative] Dig in![verb + prepositional phrase] They dug in for a long siege.[reflexive] He dug himself in on the issue.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dig in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The guests were told to dig in as soon as they arrived.
- The team decided to dig in and work through the weekend.
- He's really dug in his heels about the new policy.
American English
- Dinner's ready—dig in, everyone!
- We'll have to dig in if we want to meet the deadline.
- The senator dug in and refused to compromise.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We need to dig in and analyze these quarterly reports." (Meaning: apply focused effort)
Academic
The theory has dug in deeply within the sociological discourse. (Meaning: become established)
Everyday
"The food's getting cold—everybody dig in!" (Meaning: start eating)
Technical
The soldiers dug in along the ridge. (Meaning: established defensive positions)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dig in”
- Using 'dig in' transitively without a reflexive pronoun (e.g., 'He dug in the position' instead of 'He dug himself in').
- Confusing 'dig in' (start eating) with 'dig into' (investigate thoroughly).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal. While acceptable in many spoken business contexts ("dig into the project"), it is less suitable for highly formal or ceremonial writing.
Yes. The past tense is 'dug in'. For example: "We dug in and finished the work by midnight."
'Dig in' often means to start eating or to become entrenched. 'Dig into' usually means to start investigating or consuming something thoroughly ("dig into a book", "dig into the details").
No, it's a friendly, informal invitation to start eating, similar to 'Help yourself!'. It encourages guests not to wait.
To begin eating eagerly.
Dig in: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪɡ ˈɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪɡ ˈɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dig in one's heels”
- “dig in your spurs”
- “dig in for the long haul”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog DIGGING a hole to bury a bone. Once the bone is IN the hole, it's settled. So 'dig in' means to settle into something—like food or work—with similar determination.
Conceptual Metaphor
EFFORT IS DIGGING / RESISTANCE IS BEING ANCHORED IN THE GROUND. Hard work is conceptualized as the physical act of digging, and stubborn refusal is seen as planting one's feet firmly in soil.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'dig in your heels' typically express?