1
general::
1. Extract, remove, as in He was determined to dig out every bit of metal he could find. [Late 1300s] 2. Find by searching for, as in He dug out his first contract from the file. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): dig out (of something)
to channel or excavate one’s way out of something. • The miner had to dig out of the cave-in. • They were too exhausted to dig out., Phrase(s): dig something out
Fig. to work hard to locate something and bring it forth. • They dug the contract out of the file cabinet. • I dug out an old dress and wore it to the Fifties party.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs