dip into

British  

verb

1. to draw (upon)

   he dipped into his savings

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

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dip into Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

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Example Sentences

Last April, some credit cards provided to contractors by the Mirage were frozen as the project costs continued to go over budget, but some dipped into their own pockets to help finish the project.

From The Wall Street Journal

These patchwork visions have a restrained, contemplative air that carefully weighs the seriousness of their themes without ever dipping into melodrama or titillation.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We have incredible landlords, they’re magical, so they’re really letting us dip into it and really steward the land as if it’s our own and go wild with it. Which is really cool,” she said.

From MarketWatch

Americans have dipped into savings to buy goods and services and they are relying more on debt — trends that can’t sustain forever.

From MarketWatch

Many people dipped into their emergency savings last year for monthly bills and day-to-day expenses like food, Bankrate data show.

From MarketWatch