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dig deep
/dɪɡ diːp/◆phrasal verb
investigate thoroughly
The journalist decided to dig deep into the company's financial records.
The journalist chose to thoroughly investigate the company's financial records.
informal
to investigate or explore something thoroughly, often by examining details or hidden aspects
We need to dig deep into the data to find the root cause of the problem.
We must examine the data thoroughly to identify the underlying issue.
She dug deep into her past to understand why she felt so anxious.
She explored her past in great detail to uncover the reasons for her anxiety.
Often implies going beyond surface-level information to uncover hidden truths or motivations.
Collocations
dig deep into somethingexamine something thoroughlydig deeperinvestigate further
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in questions
This phrase works well in questions to encourage deeper exploration, e.g., 'Can you dig deeper into this issue?'
Gold Rule
Avoid overusing
While useful, 'dig deep' can sound clichéd if repeated too often in writing or speech.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'dig' (to break up, turn over, or remove earth) with 'deep' (extending far down from the surface). The metaphorical use emerged in the early 20th century, drawing on the idea of excavating soil to find hidden objects, applied figuratively to uncovering hidden information.
Usage Notes
Common in journalistic, investigative, and analytical contexts. Often used to emphasize the effort required to uncover meaningful insights. Can sound informal in professional settings if overused.
Word Breakdown
dig
to examine or search thoroughly
verbdeep
thoroughly or extensively
adverbEnglish Dictionary