🗓️ Idiom: Dig In (verb)
💬 Meaning
- Begin working with determination.
- Put strong effort into completing a task.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The team dug in to finish the project before the product launch.
- After a slow start, the interns dug in and contributed great ideas to the marketing plan.
- The employees dug in during the busy season to keep the company running smoothly.
🏛️ Origin
Originally, “dig in” was a military term from the early 20th century, meaning to prepare defences by digging trenches. Later, it developed a figurative sense of preparing for hard work or making a strong effort. Today, it is often used in business to describe working with focus and determination.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The manager told the staff to ________ and get ready for a very busy week.
Answer
dig in
2. Multiple choice:
What does “dig in” mean in business?
a) To start eating
b) To begin working hard
c) To leave a task unfinished
Answer
b) To begin working hard
3. Change the sentence using dig in:
She began working hard to meet the client’s deadline.
Answer
She dug in to meet the client’s deadline.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
📚 Learning Resources
👉 Idioms for Motivation & Perseverance
👉 Business English Idioms List
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.

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