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)

see also:

dig in one's heels

Examples of dig in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attorney general dug in after Trump demands an end to the Texas contest so Republicans can focus on beating Democratic nominee James Talarico. —Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026

The actors, both first-time Oscar nominees for their performances in Joachim Trier's movie, dig in on their complicated roles. —Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026

Once everyone dug in, though, any lingering concerns gave way to praise. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026

Grunion may be taken by hand only — no appliances of any kind may be used, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, 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