dig in

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dig in (third-person singular simple present digs in, present participle digging in, simple past and past participle dug in)

1. (colloquial) To begin eating.

   I wanted to say grace before dinner, but the kids were already digging in.

2. To engage in a burst of hard work.

   I've got to dig in for a couple of weeks to secure my promotion.

   • 2011 November 5, Phil Dawkes, “QPR 2 - 3 Man City”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Mancini's men were far from their best but dug in to earn a 10th win in 11 league games and an eighth successive victory in all competitions to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.

3. (military) To dig trenches to resist an enemy attack. (This meaning is extended by metaphor to cricket and other situations.)
4. (idiomatic) To adopt a resolute state of mind (often: to dig in one's feet, heels, etc.)

• (begin eating): chow down, fall to
• (make a burst of hard work): fall to, go for it

• dig in one's heels

• dig into

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