dip into

verb

1. to draw (upon)

   he dipped into his savings

2. to read (passages) at random or cursorily in (a book, newspaper, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Investigate superficially, as in He began to dip into Chaucer , or She's just dipping into psychology . This expression alludes to plunging briefly into a liquid. [Late 1600s]

Withdraw something in small amounts, usually money, as in I'll have to dip into my savings . This usage employs dip into in the sense of plunging one's hand or a ladle into a pot, water, or the like for the purpose of taking something out. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

With it now trading below that level, they may be hesitant to dip into their pockets again, especially if they borrowed money to buy it and are now facing margin calls.

Read more on Barron's

It was a new type of pen called a “fountain pen,” which could write line after line without having to be dipped into the inkwell.

Read more on Literature

It's thought France will dip into its own budget contributions for Kyiv, as well as look as joint EU borrowing mechanisms to help pay for the deal.

Read more on BBC

Residents report bears rummaging through trash, raiding chicken coops and—like any good Southern Californian—dipping into backyard pools.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She dipped into her savings for the last grocery trip and bought enough to make meals she could sell to construction workers to earn a few extra dollars.

Read more on Los Angeles Times