dig in

British  

verb

1. military to create (a defensive position) by digging foxholes, trenches, etc

2. informal to entrench (oneself) firmly

3. informal (intr) to defend or maintain a position firmly, as in an argument

4. informal (intr) to begin vigorously to eat

   don't wait, just dig in

5. informal to refuse stubbornly to move or be persuaded

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dig in Idioms  

1. Excavate trenches to defend oneself in battle and hold one's position, as in The battalion dug in and held on . This usage gained currency in the trench warfare of World War I. [Mid-1800s]

2. Also, dig in one's heels . Adopt a firm position, be obstinate and unyielding. For example, Arthur refused to argue the point and simply dug in , or The dog dug in its heels and refused to move . [ Colloquial ; late 1800s]

3. Begin to work intensively, as in If we all dig in it'll be done before dark. [ Colloquial ; second half of 1800s]

4. Also, dig into . Begin to eat heartily, as in Even before all the food was on the table they began to dig in , or When the bell rang, the kids all dug into their lunches . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

“G is for the gopher, digging in its burrow,” Little Britches remarked.

From Literature

If a storm blew up and they had to dig in for days, they would freeze.

From Literature

Setting her pocketbook down on the table, she bent over to dig in it, her hair hanging down both sides of her face.

From Literature

Now, it seems both sides are digging in.

From Barron's

That would be pretty interesting — though we’ll be digging in and discussing it, either way.

From Los Angeles Times