Dig up
verb
To remove something from under the ground by digging.
The kids spent the afternoon digging up worms for fishing.
Often appears as...
- dig up dirt
- dig up treasure
verb
Find information by searching carefully.
I need to dig up some information on the local history for my project.
Often appears as...
- dig up information
- dig up evidence
verb
To mention or remember something from the past, especially something unpleasant that is better forgotten.
Why did you have to dig up that old story about my college days?
Often appears as...
- dig up the past
- dig up history
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial, Idiomatic
verb
To remove something from under the ground by digging.
The kids spent the afternoon digging up worms for fishing.
Often appears as...
- dig up dirt
- dig up treasure
verb
Find information by searching carefully.
I need to dig up some information on the local history for my project.
Often appears as...
- dig up information
- dig up evidence
verb
To mention or remember something from the past, especially something unpleasant that is better forgotten.
Why did you have to dig up that old story about my college days?
Often appears as...
- dig up the past
- dig up history
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial, Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Emphasizes physical effort in uncovering or retrieving something buried.
They had to dig up the old pipes to fix the leak.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
Used when speaking about soil, ground, or surface removal, not abstract concepts.
Archaeologists dug up ancient artifacts.
Pro Tip 3/3Outdoor Activity
Commonly associated with gardening, farming, or archaeological activities.
Grandpa likes to dig up potatoes from his garden every summer.
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