dig out
verb1
To remove something by digging.
- The archaeologist dug out a Saxon dagger.
- Houdini not only got out of the ropes: he also dug himself out of the hole he had been buried in.
1 more example
- Midway between these stations a plough with two engines, which had been keeping the line open throughout the Sunday, became completely snowed up, and another engine sent from the Arrochar direction with men to assist in digging out the plough itself was caught in a drift south of Glen Douglas.1941 April, “Notes and News: Railwaymen and Snow”, in Railway Magazine, page 177:
2
Figuratively, Sometimes To find or retrieve something buried.
- I shall try to dig out my old textbooks.
- 'I thought it better to bring her down by car, sir,' explained Annesley in an aside of moody resignation. 'I only dug her out at something past eleven last night, and all the trains are at sixes and sevens just now.'1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries:
2 more examples
- But Ireland dug out a gutsy response and applied pressure which resulted in number eight Heaslip diving over in the corner to revive home hopes.2011 February 13, Lyle Jackson, “Ireland 22-25 France”, in BBC:
- While you see some of our exploration on camera, I also spent many happy hours between shoots with Chris Nix, digging out dozens of wonderful plans, maps and drawings of projects that I never knew existed, and some that never did exist.2021 June 30, Tim Dunn, “How we made... Secrets of the London Underground”, in RAIL, number 934, page 50:
3
To make something by digging.
- We had to dig out our foxhole while under fire.
5
Slang To have penetrative sexual intercourse with someone.
- I'd like to dig her out.
6
Ball games, Cricket, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To block a yorker with the bottom of the bat, at the last second.
- Synonyms
- coitize, go to bed with, sleep with