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

Sometimes, when people feel pressured to make decisions, it only causes them to dig in further.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

The SDF still controls the cities Kobani and Hasakah, where there are large Kurdish populations, and where the militia group could dig in rather than disband.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

You want to try and dig in for your team sometimes.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

The women, fresh off a photo shoot and still immaculate in their off-white designer wear, dig in.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

We’re down to grit and guts, so I dig in.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen