Dig a hole for Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈdɪɡ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈhoʊɫ/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ

DIG-uh-HOHL-for

UK

dˈɪɡ/ /æɪ/ /hˈəʊl/ /fˈɔː

DIG-uh-HOHL-faw

Definition

To make a hole in the ground for someone or something; also used figuratively to mean creating problems or trouble for oneself or others.

Usage & Nuances

Literal use is less common; mostly used figuratively in informal speech, especially in the form 'dig a hole for yourself.' Implies someone is causing their own problems. Do not use for physically helping in gardening; 'dig a hole' alone fits that.

• Spanish: cavar un hoyo para - meterse en problemas (expresión)
• Portuguese (BR): cavar um buraco para - arranjar problemas para si mesmo (expressão)
• Portuguese (PT): cavar um buraco para - arranjar problemas para si mesmo (expressão)
• Chinese (Simplified): 为...挖坑 - 给自己找麻烦（比喻用法）
• Chinese (Traditional): 為...挖洞 - 自找麻煩（比喻用法）
• Hindi: के लिए गड्ढा खोदना - अपने लिए मुसीबत मोल लेना (मुहावरा)
• Arabic: يحفر حفرة لـ - يوقع نفسه في ورطة (تعبير مجازي)
• Bengali: জন্য গর্ত খুঁড়া - নিজের পায়ে কুড়াল মারা (মাঝেমধ্যে নিজেকে বা অন্যকে বিপদে ফেলা)
• Russian: кому-то/чему-то яму копать - сам себе яму копать (переносное значение)
• Japanese: 穴を掘る（ために） - 自分の首を絞める（比喩的）
• Vietnamese: đào hố cho - tự chuốc lấy rắc rối (nghĩa bóng)
• Korean: ~을 위해 구덩이를 파다 - 스스로의 무덤을 파다 (비유적)
• Turkish: biri için çukur kazmak - kendi ayağına çelme takmak (deyimsel olarak, mecaz)
• Urdu: کسی کے لیے گڑھا کھودنا - اپنے پاؤں پر کلہاڑی مارنا (محاورہ)
• Indonesian: menggali lubang untuk - membuat masalah sendiri (makna kiasan)

Example Sentences

He dug a hole for the tree in the garden.

basic

If you lie, you will dig a hole for yourself.

basic

Don't dig a hole for your friends by spreading rumors.

basic

You really dug a hole for yourself by forgetting her birthday.

natural

Stop talking before you dig a deeper hole for yourself.

natural

He keeps making excuses and just digs a bigger hole for himself each time.

natural