dig up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To remove something from the ground by digging: To excavate and take out something that is buried. 2. To discover or find something, especially information or facts, by searching or investigating: To uncover or bring to light something that was hidden, forgotten, or unknown.
Usage and Examples
- Literal meaning (excavating):
- The archaeologists plan to dig up the ancient ruins next summer.
- We had to dig up the old tree stump to plant a new one.
- Figurative meaning (discovering information):
- The journalist managed to dig up some scandalous details about the politician's past.
- I tried to dig up some old photos from my school days.
Advanced Usage
- "to dig up dirt (on someone)": To discover and reveal damaging or scandalous information about a person.
- The tabloids are always trying to dig up dirt on celebrities.
- "to dig up the past": To remind people of unpleasant events that happened a long time ago.
- I wish you wouldn't dig up the past. Let's focus on the future.
Variants and Related Words
- Dig (verb): The base form, meaning to break up and move earth.
- Excavate (verb): A more formal synonym for digging, often used in archaeological or construction contexts.
- Unearth (verb): To find something in the ground by digging; also used figuratively to mean discovering something hidden.
Synonyms
- Excavate: To dig out and remove earth or material.
- Uncover: To remove a covering or to discover something secret.
- Exhume: To dig out something buried, especially a corpse (more specific and formal).
- Disclose: To make new or secret information known (figurative sense).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Dig into: To start eating eagerly, or to investigate something thoroughly.
- He dug into the research, trying to find the truth.
- Dig out: To get something out by digging, or to find something after searching.
- I need to dig out my winter coat from the back of the closet.
Related Idioms
- Dig your own grave: To do something that will cause serious problems for yourself in the future.
- By lying to the boss, he's just digging his own grave.
- Dig deep: To make a great effort, especially to find money, courage, or strength.
- We need to dig deep and find a way to finish this project on time.
Verb
- remove, harvest, or recover by digging
- dig salt
- dig coal
- find by digging in the ground
- I dug up an old box in the garden