dig up
The phrase "dig up" can refer to both physical excavation and uncovering hidden information or facts.
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Definition
B1General
(common)To remove something from the ground by digging.
Example
- The gardener dug up the old tree roots.
- They dug up the backyard to install a new water line.
B2Information Gathering
(idiomatic)To discover or find something that has been hidden or forgotten.
Example
- She managed to dig up some old photos from the attic.
- The journalist dug up a lot of interesting facts for the article.
B2Investigation
(informal)To uncover negative or damaging details about someone or something.
Example
- They hired a detective to dig up dirt on the politician.
- Reporters dug up his past financial troubles.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dig up":
dig downdig outdig intodredge updig ondig indrag uprake uppluck uproot outshovel outrake outscare upfetch upgin updrum uphaul upchurn upstir upburied treasurethrow dirtthrow dirt onrip upscrape uphack upbreak ground