dig in

present singular third person digs in · participle present digging in · participle past dug in · past dug in

1. colloquialTo begin eating.

   I wanted to say grace before dinner, but the kids were already digging in.

   Synonyms: chow down, fall to, tuck in

2. colloquialTo engage in a burst of hard work.

   I've got to dig in for a couple of weeks to secure my promotion.

   1 more example

   Mancini's men were far from their best but dug in to earn a 10th win in 11 league games and an eighth successive victory in all competitions to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.

   2011 November 5, Phil Dawkes, “QPR 2 - 3 Man City”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: fall to, go for it

3. alsofigurativelygovernmentTo dig trenches to resist an enemy attack.

   If Russia choses to dig in, then the military balance – which typically favours the defender on a 3-1 ratio – is reversed.

   2022 April 4, Dan Sabbagh, “Routing of Russian forces from Kyiv area will be hard to repeat in eastern Ukraine”, in The Guardian

4. idiomaticTo adopt a resolute state of mind.

   to dig in one's feet, heels, etc.

5. To cover over by digging.