digging for gold

USAGE SUMMARY

"digging for gold" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase that means searching for something valuable or profitable. Example: After years of digging for gold in the stock market, Jack finally struck it rich with his latest investment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Another was digging for gold in Guyana.

The New York Times

Or maybe they're digging for gold?

The Guardian - Arts

The work was gratifying, like digging for gold.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was digging for gold, and she struck gold".

The New York Times - Magazine

The miners looked up at us warily; no one is friendly when digging for gold.

The New Yorker

South African miners far underground, digging for gold in deplorable conditions.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mining firms dig for gold, cobalt and diamonds.

The Economist

One company has already come to dig for gold.

The Guardian

"Because Morgan is here the rangers cannot patrol and we are free to dig for gold.

The Guardian

He sells the shovels so that other people can dig for gold".

The Guardian

Later, during two months of prospecting, I would dig for gold there too, but for now I was up in the north, learning.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "digging for gold" when you want to evoke the imagery of a difficult but potentially rewarding search. It's particularly effective when the search involves sifting through a lot of irrelevant or worthless material to find something of value.

Common error

Avoid using "digging for gold" in contexts that literally involve searching for gold, unless you specifically want to emphasize the arduous and speculative nature of the task. In most cases, a more direct phrase like "mining for gold" might be clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "digging for gold" functions primarily as a metaphorical expression, describing the act of searching for something valuable or profitable, often in challenging or complex circumstances. Ludwig's examples show its application across various contexts, from literal mining to figurative searches for information or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "digging for gold" is a prevalent metaphorical phrase that conveys the idea of diligently seeking something valuable, a notion supported by Ludwig's analysis. Its grammatical correctness, coupled with its frequent appearance in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki, makes it a versatile and appropriate choice for various writing contexts. Although its literal association with gold mining exists, it's far more commonly used to depict the challenging yet rewarding pursuit of anything precious, be it knowledge, wealth, or opportunity. Therefore, as confirmed by Ludwig, use this idiom to effectively depict the effort required to uncover something worthwhile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prospecting for gold

Replaces "digging" with "prospecting", emphasizing the exploratory nature of the search.

searching for riches

Substitutes "gold" with "riches", broadening the scope of the search beyond just the precious metal.

seeking fortune

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression of aiming to gain wealth.

mining for valuables

Changes "digging" to "mining" and "gold" to "valuables", indicating a more industrial or extensive search.

excavating for treasure

Uses "excavating" to suggest a more thorough and careful search, while "treasure" implies something hidden and valuable.

unearthing opportunities

Shifts the metaphor from physical digging to discovering chances or possibilities.

pursuing wealth

Focuses on the active pursuit of financial gain, omitting the digging metaphor.

scouring for gains

Indicates a thorough and possibly desperate search for advantages or profits.

hunting for success

Replaces the physical search with a more abstract pursuit of achievement.

questing for prosperity

Implies a longer, more involved journey toward achieving financial well-being.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "digging for gold"?

The phrase "digging for gold" is a metaphor that means someone is searching intently for something valuable or profitable, often in a situation where it's difficult to find or requires sifting through a lot of less desirable things. It can also imply that someone is trying to gain something, like wealth or status, through their relationships or actions.

How can I use "digging for gold" in a sentence?

You can use "digging for gold" to describe various situations where someone is trying to find something valuable. For example, "The company was "digging for gold" in the data, hoping to find insights that would increase sales." or "She accused him of "digging for gold" by marrying her for her family's wealth."

What are some similar phrases to "digging for gold"?

Alternatives to "digging for gold" include "searching for riches", "prospecting for gold", or "seeking fortune". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "digging for gold" an idiom?

Yes, "digging for gold" is considered an idiom because its figurative meaning—searching for something valuable or profitable—differs from the literal meaning of physically digging for the metal gold. Idioms are phrases whose meanings are not predictable from the usual meanings of its elements.