dig down

dig down

1. Literally, to dig a hole into something, such as the ground. I had to dig down and create holes in the soil before I could plant the flowers.
2. To spend one's money. We had to dig down after our construction budget ballooned beyond what we had planned.
See also: dig, down
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dig down

 and dig deep 
1. . Lit. to excavate deeply. They are really having to dig deep to reach bedrock. We are not to the buried cable yet. We will have to dig down some more.
2. Fig. to be generous; to dig deep into one's pockets and come up with as much money as possible to donate to something. (As if digging into one's pocket.) Please dig down. We need every penny you can spare. Dig down deep. Give all you can.
See also: dig, down
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

dig down

Pay with money from one's own pocket; be generous. For example, We've got to dig down deep to make the next payment. [Colloquial; c. 1940]
See also: dig, down
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • dig in
  • dig in(to) (something)
  • dig into
  • dig (something)
  • dig (deep) into (one's) pocket(s)
  • dig this
  • give (someone) a dig
  • give a dig
  • give someone a dig
  • tunnel through
References in classic literature
We have, therefore, a well of sixty feet in diameter to dig down to a depth of nine hundred feet.
From The Earth To The Moon
When a city is buried thirty or forty feet deep beneath earth and great trees have grown over it, it is not easy to dig down to it."
Tom Swift In The Land Of Wonders
As it seemed reasonable to conclude that a man who had never been buried could not be unburied, the diggers gave him up when their task was done, and did not dig down for him into the depths of the earth.
Little Dorrit
Soon I find the walls of the cabin, and I dig down to the door.
Love of Life And Other Stories
To install one, we measure out the garden space, dig up the grass and weeds to prevent their growth in the garden, use string to ensure straight edges, and then dig down several inches before placing the blocks.
Creating in the Caribbean
Most plants need a root depth of 15-20cm, so it is best to dig down at least this far, though you'll want to dig to around 30cm deep if growing root vegetables.
Plan it earth; Too cold to get in the garden? Not at all! It's a perfect time to dig in and bring borders to life later in the season. Toil is good for the soil
'In some locations under our cassava and cashew plantations, if we dig down about five to six metres, we may spot a gold mine.
Kratie bans mining operation
So, instead of using a hoe, take a trowel or a specialist weed tool to dig down and pull out the weeds by the roots.
ASK DAVID; OUR EXPERT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
"We had to dig down, and they had to be at the basement level anyway.
In pursuit of seismic readiness and more
They said that cotton farmers should dig down from zero to 30cm deep and collect five to 25 samples from a cotton field and then mix all these to get a compound sample.
Soil analysis vital for better crops
They said that cotton farmers should dig down from zero to 30 cm deep and collect five to twenty five (25) samples from a cotton field and then mix all these to get a compound sample.
Soil analysis must to improve soil fertility
Keep | planting bulbs for next spring - try easy ones like chionodoxa and crocus - easy because you don't have to dig down far.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
In the opening scene, a group of young airmen shovel snow to music from the Claude-Michel Schonberg adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel, singing "Dig down, dig down, raise your shovels high" to the tune of Work Song.
HILARIOUS! South Korean Air Force parody Les Miserables
Mark said: "They say they will have to dig down under the house once the house has been cleaned to find what will be left under the floorboards and everything up to a metre down because of contamination.
I opened door and was washed away; Hell as river bursts its banks