dug

Everyday

1. Dug is the past form of dig: to make a hole in the ground or move earth with a spade, hands or paws. tree →
2. Dug can mean searched for and found: I dug out my old toys. tree →
3. Dug in means pushed something into something: the cat dug its claws in. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history: archaeologists dug up Roman coins; in gardening lessons, pupils dug holes to plant seeds and found worms and insects in the soil. In stories, pirates dug for treasure and dogs dug up bones. Safety: do not dig near cables, pipes or deep in sand (sand holes on beaches can collapse). Phrases: dug up, dug out, dug a hole, dug in.

Examples

• The dog dug a hole in the garden. tree →
• We dug up potatoes from the vegetable patch. tree →
• Archaeologists dug up an old Viking sword. tree →
• I dug out my winter coat from the cupboard. tree →
• The cat dug its claws into my leg. tree →
• The pirates dug for treasure on the island. tree →
• Our class dug a pond for frogs. tree →
• They dug a little grave in the garden. tree →

Note

Irregular verb: dig, dug, dug — never «digged». «Dug» is also an old word for an animal's teat, but children will rarely meet that.