dig
gb/dˈɪɡ/ us/dˈɪɡ/
A2
English
~ 2900
ás, kutakodik, utánajár, bír, bejön, odaszúrás, beszólás
VERB
A2
1
ás
A2
Usage pattern:
to dig [something]
They dug a large hole for the new tree.
Nagy gödröt ástak az új fának.
Workers are digging the foundation for the house.
A munkások alapot ásnak a házhoz.
The dog dug a hole in the yard.
She dug into the soil with a small spade.
Learner examples
I dig a hole in the garden.
Gödröt ások a kertben.
They dig with shovels.
Lapátokkal ásnak.
We dig in the sand.
He digs the ground for plants.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dig' with 'bury'. 'Dig' is to remove earth, while 'bury' is to cover something with earth.
Meaning
Break and remove earth
Collocations
dig a hole
|dig up
|dig into
|dig the soil
Synonyms
excavate (More formal and often used for large-scale or archaeological digging.)
Antonyms
fill in (Means to put material back into a hole, the opposite of digging it out.)
Themes
daily life
|construction
|gardening
|daily_life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a hole in the ground by taking away dirt with a tool or your hands.
To make a hole in the ground by using a tool, machine, or hands to remove earth.
VERB
B1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to dig for [information/something]
Journalists dug into the politician's past.
Az újságírók kutakodtak a politikus múltjában.
She dug through old files to find the letter.
Régi akták között kutakodott, hogy megtalálja a levelet.
Detectives are digging for clues about the case.
Learner examples
I dig for old photos.
Régi fotók után kutakodom.
They dig into the story.
Utánajárnak a sztorinak.
We dig for facts about him.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with physical digging; here it is metaphorical for searching.
Meaning
Search deeply for something
Collocations
dig for clues
|dig for information
|dig into records
Synonyms
probe (More formal and often used in investigative contexts.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not looking for information at all.)
Themes
daily life
|research
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try hard to find information or something hidden.
To look for information, objects, or details by searching thoroughly.
VERB
B2
SLANG
3
Usage pattern:
to dig [something/someone]
I really dig this new band.
Nagyon bírom ezt az új bandát.
Do you dig her style?
Bejön neked a stílusa?
He totally digs that TV show.
Learner examples
I dig this song.
Bírom ezt a számot.
She digs the movie.
Bejön neki a film.
We dig his clothes.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this slang in formal contexts where it sounds inappropriate.
Meaning
Like or enjoy something
Collocations
really dig
|totally dig
Synonyms
enjoy (Neutral term without slang tone.)
Antonyms
dislike (Opposite meaning; not enjoying.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
(Slang) To like or enjoy something or someone.
(Slang) To like, enjoy, or appreciate something or someone.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
She couldn't resist making a little dig at his cooking skills.
Nem tudta megállni, hogy ne tegyen egy kis odaszúrást a főzőtudására.
That comment was a dig at me, wasn't it?
Ez a megjegyzés nekem szóló odaszúrás volt, ugye?
He took her joke as a personal dig.
Learner examples
He made a dig about my hair.
Beszólt a hajamra.
That was a dig at me.
Ez nekem szóló odaszúrás volt.
She took his words as a dig.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the verb 'dig'; here it is a noun meaning remark, not action.
Meaning
Teasing or critical remark
Collocations
take a dig at
|make a dig
Synonyms
jab (Similar informal sense for a verbal criticism.)
Antonyms
compliment (A positive remark instead of a critical one.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Definition
A short comment that makes fun of or criticizes someone in a playful way.
An indirect or playful remark meant to tease, criticize, or mock someone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dig
IPA
GB/dˈɪɡ/
US/dˈɪɡ/
Syllables & stress
dig (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dig)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dig
- Plural: digs
Verb
- Base: dig
- 3rd Person Singular: digs
- Present Participle: digging
- Past: dug
- Past Participle: dug
Word family
Forms
digs
noun
digging
verb
dug
verb
Core family
digger
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: digging Verb
- Irregular past: dug Verb
- Irregular past participle: dug Verb
Expressions
dig in
1/dˈɪɡ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Start eating eagerly
To start eating eagerly and with enjoyment.
Examples
- The food looks great—let's dig in!
- Everyone grabbed their plates and dug in.
dig into
1/dˈɪɡ ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
Examine closely or thoroughly
To study or search something very carefully to find information.
Examples
- Reporters are digging into the company's financial records.
- She dug into the history of her family.
dig oneself into a hole
1/dˈɪɡ wˌʌnsˈɛlf ˈɪntu ə hˈoʊl/
idiom
informal
Make situation worse for self
To make your problem worse by what you do or say.
Examples
- He kept lying and just dug himself into a deeper hole.
- Stop talking before you dig yourself into a hole.
dig up
1/dˈɪɡ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Remove from ground by digging
To take something out of the ground by digging.
Examples
- They dug up some old coins in the garden.
- Workers are digging up the road to repair pipes.
take a dig at [someone]
1/tˈeɪk ə dˈɪɡ ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
informal
Make teasing/critical remark toward someone
To make a comment that teases or criticizes someone, often indirectly.
Examples
- She took a dig at his singing during dinner.
- The article took a subtle dig at the mayor.