Digging up: meaning, definitions and examples

Informal and common usage, often used when talking about finding something by digging in the ground. It’s used in casual conversations.

• We spent the afternoon digging up potatoes in the garden

Formal context, typically used in archaeology or construction, to describe a meticulous and systematic process of removing earth to find buried items.

• Archaeologists will start to excavate the ancient ruins next week

Often used in a formal or literary context, it implies discovering something valuable or rare that has been hidden or buried.

• The researchers managed to unearth a long-lost manuscript

General use, suitable for both formal and informal situations, often used metaphorically to describe revealing hidden information or objects.

• The investigation helped uncover the cause of the accident

This phrase is often used when you're searching for something that has been hidden or forgotten, and it sometimes has a negative connotation, implying that something unpleasant or controversial is being uncovered.

• The journalist was digging up old scandals about the politician.
• They spent the weekend digging up the garden to plant new flowers.

This term is typically used in academic or scientific contexts where careful study and extensive data collection are involved.

• He is researching the history of medieval Europe for his thesis.
• The scientists are researching new treatments for cancer.

This word is commonly used in formal or professional settings, such as police work or research, where systematic and detailed examination is required.

• The police are investigating the robbery that occurred last night.
• She is investigating the effects of climate change on local wildlife.