dig into

phrasal verb

dug into; digging into; digs into
1
: to mix (something) into (soil) by digging
dig the compost into the soil
2
informal : to begin eating (something)
The family was digging into a delicious meal.
They dug into their steaks.
3
somewhat informal : to try to learn or uncover information by studying (something)
The detectives dug into his past and learned that he had once lived in another country.
4
: to push against (a body part) in a sharp and painful way
The bed's springs are digging into my back.
Her fingernails dug into my hand.
5
: to push (something) into (a body part) in a sharp and painful way
She dug her fingernails into my hand.
He dug his elbow into my ribs.

Examples of dig into in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What & Why Rhode Island digs into this curious bit of beach trivia. Kathleen Hill, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026 These pants are great for travel thanks to their incredible four-way stretch and lack of zippers and buttons that can dig into your midsection on long flights. Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026 His troops were dug into a lacework of tunnels and gun emplacements and most had survived the pre-invasion bombing, the Courant has reported. Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026 Use the next week or so to dig into details and clarify the picture. Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dig into

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Cite this Entry

“Dig into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dig%20into. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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