dig
dig — 動詞
- digpresent simple I / you / we / they
- digshe / she / it
- dugpast simple
- digging-ing form
1. to create a hole or opening in the ground by taking away earth with your hands,
挖掘；翻土
用工具或手翻動泥土
to create a hole or opening in the ground by taking away earth with your hands, a shovel, or a machine, often when preparing land for planting seeds or putting up a structure
Layla dug a shallow hole in the backyard with a small shovel.
Layla 用一把小鏟子在後院挖了一個淺坑。
dig + noun + location phrase
The farmer spent the whole morning digging in the field before the rains came.
農夫在雨來之前花了一整個上午在田裡挖土。
intransitive: dig + adverbial of place
Adina watched her mother dig up the hard soil for the new fence posts.
Adina 看著媽媽挖開硬土，準備立新的籬笆柱。
dig up + noun (what is being removed)
The ground was too dry to dig without first pouring water on it.
地面太乾了，不先澆水就挖不動。
Joon and his brother dug together, taking turns with the heavy pickaxe.
Joon 和弟弟輪流拿著沉重的鶴嘴鋤一起挖土。
- dig a hole
- dig the ground
- dig the soil
- dig a trench
- dig a garden
- dig with a shovel
- dig with a spade
- dig deeper
文法句型
dig + noun (location)
dig + adverbial
dig + adverbial of direction
用法筆記
This sense is the core physical meaning of dig. Both transitive (dig something) and intransitive (dig in something) patterns are equally common. The phrasal verb dig up is frequently used with this sense to mean 'remove soil from the ground'.
常見錯誤
2. to make a hole, channel, or hollow space in the ground by removing material from
挖洞；開鑿
挖出洞穴、通道或空間
to make a hole, channel, or hollow space in the ground by removing material from that space
The workers dug a tunnel through the mountain for the new railway line.
工人們為了新的鐵路線鑿穿了一座山。
dig + noun (structure/result) through + medium
Devika dug a small pit in the sand for the campfire.
Devika 在沙灘上挖了一個小坑來生營火。
Théo and his friends dug a deep trench around their tent to stop the rain.
Théo 和朋友們在帳篷周圍挖了一條深溝，防止雨水流入。
The rescue team dug a narrow channel through the rubble to reach the trapped people.
救援隊在瓦礫中挖出一條狹窄通道，以救出受困的人。
A narrow passage had been dug under the wall for the pipes to go through.
牆下挖了一條狹小的通道，讓水管可以穿過。
passive: result of digging
- dig a hole
- dig a tunnel
- dig a pit
- dig a well
- dig a trench
- dig a channel
- dig a passage
- fill in
to put material back into a hole so it disappears
文法句型
dig + noun (hole/pit/tunnel)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (BREAK UP SOIL): sense 1 focuses on the action of moving soil, while sense 2 focuses on the result or structure created. You dig (up) a garden bed (sense 1), but you dig a hole or tunnel (sense 2). The object in this sense names the cavity itself.
3. to remove something buried or hidden from the ground by using a tool or your han
挖出；掘出
從土中取出被埋藏之物
to remove something buried or hidden from the ground by using a tool or your hands to get it out
The children dug old coins out of the sand at the beach.
孩子們在海灘的沙子裡挖出了舊硬幣。
dig + noun + out of + place
Nicholas dug up the potatoes he had planted three months earlier.
Nicholas 挖出了他三個月前種下的馬鈴薯。
dig up + noun (crops)
The archaeologists dug several ancient pots from the burial site.
考古學家從墓葬遺址中挖出了好幾隻古代陶罐。
Mayumi carefully dug the weed out of the flowerbed so the roots came out too.
Mayumi 小心翼翼地把雜草從花圃中連根挖出來。
After the storm, Roya dug her bicycle out from under the fallen leaves.
暴風雨過後，Roya 從落葉底下挖出了她的腳踏車。
dig + noun + out from under + noun
- dig up potatoes
- dig out roots
- dig up treasure
- dig up bones
- dig out weeds
- dig something from the ground
文法句型
dig + noun (object) out/up
dig + noun + from + noun
用法筆記
The particle up (dig up) or out (dig out) is very common with this sense. Dig up is used for crops, buried objects, or bodies; dig out is used when something is covered or trapped and needs freeing. The simple transitive pattern (dig potatoes) is less common without a particle.
常見錯誤
4. to search or look carefully through a bag, pile, container, or collection of ite
翻找；探究
仔細尋找物品或資訊
to search or look carefully through a bag, pile, container, or collection of items, trying to locate a specific object or a fact you need
Élise dug into her handbag for the keys but could not find them.
Élise 翻找她的手提包找鑰匙，但找不到。
dig into + container + for + object
The reporter dug through old newspaper records to find the truth.
記者翻遍了舊報紙紀錄，想找出真相。
dig through + noun (collection) + infinitive of purpose
Asher dug around in the drawer looking for a pen that still had ink.
Asher 在抽屜裡東翻西找，想找一枝還有墨水的筆。
Saira dug deeper into the online archives to find information about her family.
Saira 深入搜尋線上檔案，尋找關於她家人的資訊。
The students dug for the answers in the library instead of asking the teacher.
學生們在圖書館裡尋找答案，而不是直接問老師。
- dig into a bag
- dig through papers
- dig for information
- dig in a drawer
- dig deeper
- dig around
文法句型
dig + into + noun
dig + through + noun
dig + for + noun
dig + around
用法筆記
This sense is often used figuratively — you are not digging in soil but searching through papers, documents, bags, or digital files. Common prepositional patterns are dig into, dig through, and dig for. The sense can carry a feeling of effort: you dig when the thing is hard to find.
常見錯誤
5. to push someone lightly with a finger or elbow, often done so that the person no
輕戳；輕推
用手肘或手指輕觸引起注意
to push someone lightly with a finger or elbow, often done so that the person notices something or to share a private joke or opinion with them
Maeve dug her brother in the ribs when the teacher said something funny.
老師說了句好笑的話時，Maeve 用手肘輕戳了一下哥哥的肋骨。
dig + person + in + body part
Felipe dug Christopher with his elbow and whispered that the meeting was over.
Felipe 用手肘推了推 Christopher，低聲說會議已經結束了。
During the play, Eve dug her friend and pointed at the actor on stage.
看戲的時候，Eve 輕推了一下朋友，指向台上的演員。
Greta dug her friend in the ribs during the boring speech to share her amusement.
在無聊的演講中，Greta 用手肘輕戳朋友的肋骨，想分享她的好笑感受。
dig + person + in + body part — nudge to share a reaction
The old man dug me in the arm and said, 'Did you see that?'
那位老先生戳了戳我的手臂，笑著說：「你看到了嗎？」
dig + pronoun + in + body part + quoted speech
- dig someone in the ribs
- dig someone in the arm
- dig with an elbow
- dig a finger into
文法句型
dig + noun (person) + in + body part
用法筆記
Commonly used with in + a body part (in the ribs, in the arm). The action is usually quick and light — a poke or nudge, not a hard push. This sense is less common in American English, where nudge is more frequent for this meaning.
常見錯誤
6. in volleyball, to receive a hard-hit ball with your forearms and both hands held
低手接球
排球中低手接球的技術動作
in volleyball, to receive a hard-hit ball with your forearms and both hands held together, stopping the ball from hitting the floor and sending it upward to a teammate
Heloísa dug the spike and sent the ball straight to the setter.
Heloísa 接住了對方的扣球，並把球精準地傳給舉球員。
transitive: dig + noun (the ball type)
The player dug low and fast to keep the rally going.
那位球員低身快速救球，讓比賽繼續下去。
intransitive: dig + adverbial of manner
Madison missed the first serve but dug the second one perfectly.
Madison 沒接到第一發發球，但完美地接到了第二球。
The team practised digging hard-driven balls from all directions.
球隊練習從各個方向接住強勁來球。
Good digging requires keeping your arms straight and your eyes on the ball.
好的接球需要保持手臂伸直、眼睛緊盯著球。
gerund form + requirement clause
- dig a spike
- dig a serve
- dig the ball
- dig low
- dig hard
- dig for the ball
文法句型
dig + noun (ball)
dig for the ball
用法筆記
This is a technical term used in volleyball. The verb and noun form are identical (a dig is the action of digging). Beginners often confuse it with a set or a pass — a dig specifically receives a hard-hit or served ball using the forearms.
7. to like, enjoy, or approve of something very much, or to understand and apprecia
喜歡；懂
俚語，表示喜歡或理解
to like, enjoy, or approve of something very much, or to understand and appreciate something such as music, art, or someone's way of thinking
Amani said she really digs the new album by that band.
Amani 說她真的很喜歡那個樂團的新專輯。
informal: dig + noun (art/music)
Théo does not dig classical music but loves jazz and hip hop.
Théo 不喜歡古典音樂，但熱愛爵士樂和嘻哈音樂。
I dig that you want to help, but the decision is not yours to make.
我懂你想幫忙，但這個決定不是你來做的。
dig + that-clause (understand/accept)
The older students did not dig the new teacher's strict rules at first.
高年級學生起初不喜歡新老師嚴格的規定。
Soraya's friends all dig her sense of humour and her energy.
Soraya 的朋友都很欣賞她的幽默感和活力。
- dig music
- dig a style
- dig someone's vibe
- dig that
- like
neutral register; less emphatic than dig
- love
stronger than dig but not slang
- be into
similar register to dig; also informal
- appreciate
more formal; less emotional
文法句型
dig + noun/pronoun
dig + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is strictly informal (slang). Common in casual conversation but inappropriate in formal writing or exams. It was especially popular in 1960s–70s counterculture but remains in everyday use. The frequency is highest among younger speakers.
常見錯誤
dig into
phrasal verbto start eating food with enthusiasm; also, to push your hand or a tool into something in order to search or take something
開始大吃；翻找（背包、抽屜等）
After the long hike, everyone dug into the pasta and salad without saying a word.
Théo dug into his backpack to find the map before they got lost.
dig up
phrasal verbto remove something from the ground by digging; also, to discover information that was hidden or forgotten
挖出；發現（隱藏或遺忘的資訊）
The gardener dug up an old metal box while preparing the flowerbed.
The journalist dug up new evidence that changed the course of the trial.
dig out
phrasal verbto get something or someone out of a place by removing material that covers or surrounds them; also, to find something after searching
挖出（被覆蓋的人或物）；找出（珍藏或老舊物品）
The rescue team dug out three people who were trapped under the fallen building.
Saira dug out her old photographs from a box in the attic.
dig through
phrasal verbto search through a pile, collection, or mass of things, often in a messy or hurried way
翻找；在一堆物品中搜尋
Devika dug through the pile of clothes on her chair looking for her blue jacket.
The mechanic dug through the toolbox to find the right size of wrench.
dig in
phrasal verbTo start eating food with enthusiasm.
開始大吃
The children dug in as soon as the pizza arrived.
After the long hike, everyone dug in hungrily.
dig over
phrasal verbTo turn over the soil in a garden or field using a tool like a spade.
翻土
Grandpa dug over the vegetable patch before planting seeds.
We need to dig over the flower beds this weekend.
dig yourself in
phrasal verbTo make a protected position for yourself by digging a trench or hole.
挖壕自衛
The soldiers dug themselves in before the attack.
We dug ourselves in behind the sandbags for safety.
dig your own grave
idiomto do something that will cause serious problems for yourself in the future, especially by acting in a way that seems to help you now but will hurt you later
自掘墳墓；為自己製造麻煩
The politician dug his own grave by lying to the public about his past.
If you keep spending more than you earn, you are digging your own grave financially.
dig your heels in
idiomto refuse to do something or to refuse to change your opinion or decision, especially in a stubborn way
堅持立場；固執己見
The union dug its heels in and refused to accept any of the proposed changes.
Every time her parents suggest a different school, Aisha digs her heels in even harder.
dig deep
idiomto make a great effort, often by using hidden strength, energy, or money, in order to achieve something difficult
全力以赴；努力拿出（資源或力氣）
The runner dug deep in the final kilometre and managed to finish the race.
The charity asked everyone to dig deep and give what they could to help the homeless.
to get yourself into a difficult situation that is hard to escape from, especially by making mistakes or saying the wrong things
把自己推入困境；越陷越深
He dug himself into a hole by promising things he could not deliver.
The more Layla tried to explain, the deeper she dug herself into a hole.
To look for information very carefully and thoroughly.
深入挖掘
The journalist dug deep into the company's financial records.
If you dig deep into the archives, you might find the answer.
To find and make public harmful or embarrassing information about someone.
挖出醜聞
The reporter dug up dirt on the politician's past.
They hired a detective to dig the dirt on their competitor.
To refuse to change your opinion or do what others want.
堅持立場
My father dug his heels in and refused to sell the house.
The union dug its toes in during the negotiations.
To spend a large amount of your own money on something.
掏出大筆錢
We had to dig deep into our savings to pay for the repairs.
She dug into her pocket to buy the expensive gift.
To push someone gently with your finger or elbow, usually to get their attention.
用肘輕戳某人
Maya dug Diego in the ribs to show him the funny sign.
During the play, Sara dug her friend in the ribs and whispered.
To do something that will cause serious problems for yourself in the future.
自掘墳墓
By lying to the boss, he dug his own grave.
If you keep spending recklessly, you are digging a grave for yourself.
dig — 名詞
- digsingular
- digsplural
1. a short, sharp comment meant to embarrass or criticise someone, or to make other
諷刺；挖苦
批評或嘲弄他人的話
a short, sharp comment meant to embarrass or criticise someone, or to make other people laugh at them
Eve could not resist making a dig at her brother about his terrible haircut.
Eve 忍不住挖苦了一下弟弟那難看的髮型。
make a dig at + person + about + topic
The comedian's digs at the politicians had the whole audience laughing.
那位喜劇演員對政治人物的諷刺讓全場觀眾大笑不已。
Christopher took the comment as a personal dig and walked out of the room.
Christopher 認為那句話是在針對他，於是走出了房間。
The review contained a few digs at the director's earlier films.
那篇評論對導演早期的電影有幾句諷刺的話。
Amani's friends exchanged playful digs about each other's cooking all evening.
Amani 的朋友整晚互相開玩笑地嘲弄對方的廚藝。
playful dig — suggests friendly teasing
- make a dig at
- have a dig at
- a dig about something
- a playful dig
- a nasty dig
- a personal dig
- compliment
a positive remark praising someone
用法筆記
Typically used in the phrase make a dig at someone or have a dig at someone. The tone can range from playful teasing (playful dig) to harsh criticism (nasty dig). It is countable — one dig, several digs.
常見錯誤
2. a place where archaeologists dig up and study ancient objects from the ground; o
考古挖掘
考古學中的挖掘地點或過程
a place where archaeologists dig up and study ancient objects from the ground; or the activity of doing such work at a historical site
The students spent the summer working on a Roman dig in the south of France.
學生們暑假在法國南部參與一個羅馬考古遺址的挖掘工作。
on + a/an + location/period + dig
The dig revealed pottery that was over two thousand years old.
這次考古挖掘出土了兩千多年前的陶器。
Nicholas volunteered at an archaeological dig near his village last summer.
Nicholas 去年暑假在他家附近的一個考古挖掘點當志工。
The dig was closed to visitors while the team worked on the ancient burial site.
考古團隊在處理古代墓葬遺址時，挖掘區不對外開放。
Felipe decided to study archaeology after visiting a dig in Egypt with his family.
Felipe 和家人參觀了埃及的一處考古挖掘後，決定攻讀考古學。
- an archaeological dig
- a Roman dig
- work on a dig
- join a dig
- a dig site
- lead a dig
- excavation
more formal; the standard technical term in archaeology
- site
broader; any place where something happened, not only digging
用法筆記
Frequently used with an adjective specifying the period or type (a Roman dig, an archaeological dig). The word can refer both to the physical site (the place where digging happens) and the project (the organized activity of excavation).
3. in volleyball, the action of receiving a hard-hit ball with your forearms and st
接球；救球
排球中的低手接球動作
in volleyball, the action of receiving a hard-hit ball with your forearms and stopping it from hitting the floor
Soraya made a perfect dig that saved the point for her team.
Soraya 做了一個完美的救球，為球隊保住了一分。
make a dig — common verb collocation
The setter called for a dig right before the ball came over the net.
球飛過網之前，舉球員就喊著要接球。
Her quick dig surprised the other team and started a strong attack.
她快速的接球讓對方措手不及，並發動了一波強攻。
The coach told the players to focus on their digging technique during practice.
教練要球員在練習時專注於接球技巧。
digging as gerund — focus on + possessive + technique
Madison's dig was so low that no one saw it coming.
Madison 的救球角度極低，沒有人看到球過來。
- make a dig
- a good dig
- a perfect dig
- a quick dig
- a low dig
- digging technique
- practice digs
用法筆記
The noun and verb form are identical. As a noun, dig is countable and commonly combines with make (make a dig), have (have a good dig), or practice (practice digs).
4. a room or set of rooms that someone rents to live in, especially temporarily or
住處
非正式用語，指租住的房間
a room or set of rooms that someone rents to live in, especially temporarily or as a student
Asher moved into his new digs near the university campus last week.
Asher 上週搬進了他靠近大學校區的新住處。
plural form: digs
The students found some cheap digs in the older part of the city.
學生們在舊城區找到了一些便宜的住處。
Élise invited her classmates over to see her new digs.
Élise 邀請同學來參觀她的新住處。
The band stayed in rented digs while they recorded their album in London.
樂團在倫敦錄製專輯期間住在租來的房子裡。
His digs were small but clean, with a desk by the window for studying.
他的住處雖然小但很乾淨，窗邊有張書桌可以唸書。
- new digs
- cheap digs
- student digs
- rented digs
- move into digs
- share digs
- lodgings
more formal; the standard word dig is short for
- accommodation
more general; covers all types of housing
- place
informal; very common in casual speech
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form (digs, not dig). This is an informal British usage. In American English, place or apartment would be more common. The word carries a slightly old-fashioned or student-oriented feel.
常見錯誤
dig — 縮寫
1. written abbreviation for digest: a short written summary or collection of inform
文摘；摘要
digest 的縮寫
written abbreviation for digest: a short written summary or collection of information, news, or articles
For a detailed account of the study, see Reader's Dig. 2024, 58(3), 22–29.
該研究的詳細報導請參閱《讀者文摘》2024年第58卷第3期，第22–29頁。
bibliographic citation: 'Title Abbrev. Year, Vol(Issue), Pages'
The library catalogue lists the item as J. Med. Dig. 2023, 45(2), 87–92.
圖書館目錄將該條目列為 J. Med. Dig. 2023 年第45卷第2期，第87–92頁。
catalogue listing: abbreviated journal name
A summary of the findings appears in Sci. Dig. 2022, 12(4), 55.
研究結果摘要刊於 Sci. Dig. 2022 年第12卷第4期，第55頁。
For further reading on this topic, consult Eng. Lit. Dig. 2021, 33(1), 14–18.
關於此主題的進一步閱讀請參考 Eng. Lit. Dig. 2021 年第33卷第1期，第14–18頁。
用法筆記
This abbreviation is mostly found in publishing contexts, cataloguing, or academic reference systems. It is not common in everyday spoken English.