dig out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dig out of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of extricating oneself from a difficult situation or problem. Example: "After weeks of hard work, I finally managed to dig out of the financial mess I had created."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've seen him dig out of some tough matches".

The New Yorker

Not surprising as we dig out of this recession.

The New York Times

Now, they have to dig out of it.

The New York Times - Sports

We were fortunate to dig out of that last year.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not something you can dig out of the ground".

The Guardian

"I managed to dig out of what could easily have been my grave.

Independent

We did what we could to dig out of the full-on depressions that sometimes followed.

The New York Times

When he dug himself in a hole, we gave him a ladder to dig out of.

The New York Times - Sports

This rising middle class has a powerful aspiration to dig out of poverty.

The New York Times

It took them more than five years to dig out of the hole.

The New Yorker

But even idiots know how to dig out of a hole".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dig out of" to emphasize a laborious effort to escape a challenging situation, whether financial, emotional, or competitive.

Common error

Avoid using "dig out of" when a simpler term like "resolve" or "solve" would suffice. The phrase implies a considerable struggle; reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dig out of" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used transitively. It describes the action of extricating oneself or something else from a challenging or undesirable situation. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "dig out of" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that signifies the act of escaping or recovering from a difficult situation through considerable effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase. Predominantly found in contexts such as news reporting and sports commentary, it conveys a sense of struggle and determination. When using "dig out of", consider whether the situation genuinely warrants the emphasis on laborious effort, and avoid overusing it in simpler scenarios. Alternatives include "recover from", "extricate oneself from", and "emerge from".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recover from

Focuses on the process of returning to a normal state after a difficulty, often implying healing or restoration.

extricate oneself from

Emphasizes the act of freeing oneself from a trap or entanglement, suggesting a deliberate effort to escape.

work one's way out of

Emphasizes the effort and labor involved in escaping a difficult situation, highlighting the process rather than the outcome.

emerge from

Highlights the act of coming out of a situation, often implying a transformation or changed state.

climb out of

Conveys the imagery of a steep, difficult ascent, suggesting an arduous effort to escape.

get out of

A more general phrase for escaping or avoiding a situation, lacking the intensity of effort implied by "dig out of".

break free from

Highlights the act of liberation or release from a restrictive or oppressive situation.

bounce back from

Suggests resilience and a quick recovery after a setback, emphasizing the ability to rebound.

escape from

A more direct term indicating avoiding or fleeing a negative circumstance.

resolve

Implies finding a solution to a problem, but it doesn't necessarily include the effort and struggle associated with "dig out of".

FAQs

How can I use "dig out of" in a sentence?

You can use "dig out of" to describe escaping a difficult situation. For example, "The company is working hard to "dig out of" debt" or "He managed to "dig out of" a deep depression".

What are some alternatives to "dig out of"?

Alternatives include "recover from", "extricate oneself from", "emerge from", or "get out of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dig out of a hole" or "get out of a hole"?

"Dig out of a hole" implies a more strenuous and deliberate effort compared to the more general "get out of a hole". Choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity of the situation.

What does "dig out of" imply about the situation being described?

"Dig out of" suggests that the situation is not just difficult but requires considerable effort, perseverance, and resourcefulness to overcome. It's often used when the problem is deep-seated or complex.