What are the definitions of “dig out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Find something you haven't used, seen, etc, for a long time.
I DUG OUT my old university essays.
- 2Dig to remove something or someone.
They had to DIG the survivors of the earthquake OUT from the ruins.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “dig out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb dig out is to find something that you haven't used, seen, or encountered for a long time. It often refers to searching for an item that has been stored away or forgotten.
What are the different verb forms of “dig out”?
| Root Verb | dig out |
| Third Person Singular Present | digs out |
| Present Participle | digging out |
| Simple Past | dug out |
| Past Participle | dug out |
Example
I need to dig out my old photo albums from the attic.
Example
She digs out her winter clothes when the weather gets colder.
Example
He is digging out his old textbooks to study for the exam.
Example
Yesterday, they dug out their old camping gear for the trip.
Example
The old toys were dug out from the basement for the children to play with.
What kind of phrasal verb is “dig out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“dig out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She dug out her old diary from the drawer.
Example
He dug the old letters out from the box.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“dig out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She dug out her old diary from the drawer.
Example
He dug the old letters out from the box.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “dig out”?
To search for and find specific information, often from various sources.
Example
The journalist dug out information about the politician's past.
Good things to know
Does “dig out” have an informal or formal tone?
Dig out is generally considered a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the context. However, in most cases, dig out is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
