to dig out

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Dig \Dig\, v. i.

1.To work with a spade or other like implement; to do servile work; to delve. [1913 Webster]

Dig for it more than for hid treasures.— Job iii. 21.[1913 Webster]

I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed.— Luke xvi. 3.[1913 Webster]

2.(Mining) To take ore from its bed, in distinction from making excavations in search of ore. [1913 Webster]

3.To work hard or drudge; specif. (U. S.): To study ploddingly and laboriously. [Colloq.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Peter dug at his books all the harder.— Paul L. Ford.[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

4.(Mach.) Of a tool: To cut deeply into the work because ill set, held at a wrong angle, or the like, as when a lathe tool is set too low and so sprung into the work.

To dig out, to depart; to leave, esp. hastily; decamp. [Slang, U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Dig \Dig\ (d[i^]g), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dug (d[u^]g) or Digged (d[i^]gd); p. pr. & vb. n. Digging. -- Digged is archaic.] [OE. diggen, perh. the same word as diken, dichen (see Dike, Ditch); cf. Dan. dige to dig, dige a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st dag. [root]67.]

1.To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to open, loosen, or break up (the soil) with a spade, or other sharp instrument; to pierce, open, or loosen, as if with a spade. [1913 Webster]

Be first to dig the ground.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.To get by digging; as, to dig potatoes, or gold. [1913 Webster]

3.To hollow out, as a well; to form, as a ditch, by removing earth; to excavate; as, to dig a ditch or a well. [1913 Webster]

4.To thrust; to poke. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

You should have seen children . . . dig and push their mothers under the sides, saying thus to them: Look, mother, how great a lubber doth yet wear pearls.— Robynson (More's Utopia).[1913 Webster]

5.To like; enjoy; admire. The whole class digs Pearl Jam. [Colloq.] [PJC]

To dig down, to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall.

To dig from, To dig out of, To dig out, To dig up, to get out or obtain by digging; as, to dig coal from or out of a mine; to dig out fossils; to dig up a tree. The preposition is often omitted; as, the men are digging coal, digging iron ore, digging potatoes.

To dig in, (a) to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure. (b) To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; -- used of warfare or negotiating situations.

to dig in one's heels To offer stubborn resistance. [1913 Webster +PJC]