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 asking price is an impressive $34 million, which is around $22 million more than the founder of Integrative Design doled out for the ocean-view digs in two separate transactions back in the early 2000s. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025

But everybody worked in collaboration with the FBI, who were able to have subpoena power and really dig in. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Slice up to serve or dig in with spoons. —Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Democrats keep digging in on health care Health care policy remains the dividing line for Democrats on Day 28 of the federal government shutdown. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 28 Oct. 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