to dig in one's heels

to dig in one's heels
Dig Dig (d[i^]g), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dug} (d[u^]g) or {Digged} (d[i^]gd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Digging}. -- Digged is archaic.] [OE. diggen, perh. the same word as diken, dichen (see {Dike}, {Ditch}); cf. Dan. dige to dig, dige a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st dag. [root]67.] 1. To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to open, loosen, or break up (the soil) with a spade, or other sharp instrument; to pierce, open, or loosen, as if with a spade. [1913 Webster]

Be first to dig the ground. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. To get by digging; as, to dig potatoes, or gold. [1913 Webster]

3. To hollow out, as a well; to form, as a ditch, by removing earth; to excavate; as, to dig a ditch or a well. [1913 Webster]

4. To thrust; to poke. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

You should have seen children . . . dig and push their mothers under the sides, saying thus to them: Look, mother, how great a lubber doth yet wear pearls. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]

5. To like; enjoy; admire. The whole class digs Pearl Jam. [Colloq.] [PJC]

{To dig down}, to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall.

{To dig from}, {To dig out of}, {To dig out}, {To dig up}, to get out or obtain by digging; as, to dig coal from or out of a mine; to dig out fossils; to dig up a tree. The preposition is often omitted; as, the men are digging coal, digging iron ore, digging potatoes.

{To dig in}, (a) to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure. (b) To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; -- used of warfare or negotiating situations.

{to dig in one's heels} To offer stubborn resistance. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dig in one's heels — To behave stubbornly • • • Main Entry: ↑heel * * * resist stubbornly; refuse to give in he has dug in his heels and refuses to leave …   Useful english dictionary

  • dig in one's heels — ► dig in one s heels stubbornly refuse to compromise. Main Entry: ↑dig …   English terms dictionary

  • dig in one's heels —    If you dig in your heels, you refuse to do something, especially if someone is trying to convince you to do so.     My grandfather dug in his heels and refused to move to an apartment …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • dig in one's heels — stubbornly refuse to give in. → dig …   English new terms dictionary

  • dig in one's heels — phrasal to take or persist in an uncompromising position or attitude despite opposition …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • dig one's heels in — To refuse to be moved or persuaded • • • Main Entry: ↑dig …   Useful english dictionary

  • dig — ► VERB (digging; past and past part. dug) 1) break up and turn over or move earth. 2) make (a hole) by digging. 3) (often dig up) extract from the ground by digging. 4) poke or jab sharply. 5) ( …   English terms dictionary

  • dig — dig1 [dig] vt. dug, digging [ME diggen < Anglo Fr * diguer < OFr digue, dike < Du dijk: see DIKE1] 1. to break and turn up or remove (ground, etc.) with a spade or other tool, or with hands, claws, snout, etc. 2. to make (a hole, cellar …   English World dictionary

  • Dig — (d[i^]g), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dug} (d[u^]g) or {Digged} (d[i^]gd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Digging}. Digged is archaic.] [OE. diggen, perh. the same word as diken, dichen (see {Dike}, {Ditch}); cf. Dan. dige to dig, dige a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • dig — verb (digs, digging; past and past participle dug) 1》 break up and move earth with a tool or with hands, paws, etc.     ↘make (a hole) by digging.     ↘extract from the ground by digging.     ↘(dig in) (of a soldier) protect oneself by making a… …   English new terms dictionary

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