1 B1 informal
To search through a place or a collection of things in a casual or exploratory way.
"She was digging around in her bag trying to find her keys."
dig around
B1 informal intransitive
To search through things or investigate an area in an unfocused or exploratory way.
In plain English
To look through a messy place or information to try to find something.
What does "dig around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To investigate or research something informally, especially looking for hidden or obscure information.
"The journalist was digging around in the company's financial records."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To dig in various directions around a space.
Actually means
To look through a messy place or information to try to find something.
Usage tip
Can be used both literally (searching through a drawer, a garden) and figuratively (investigating records, a story). Implies a somewhat casual or untargeted search. Common in everyday and journalistic English.
Words that pair with "dig around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
files records internet garden drawer past
How to conjugate "dig around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dig around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
digs around
he/she/it
Past simple
diged around
yesterday
Past participle
diged around
have + pp
-ing form
diging around
continuous
Hear "dig around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dig around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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