Definition of the word dig in

The phrase "dig in" is commonly used to encourage people to start eating at a meal or to prepare for a difficult situation. Its origin can be traced back to the First World War, during which soldiers would dig trenches as a part of their daily routine. When it was time for a meal, the soldiers would lay down their digging tools and gather around to eat. The phrase "dig in" was born to motivate the hungry soldiers to start eating and to indicate that it was time to enjoy their hard-earned meal. The expression then became popular among soldiers in the Second World War as well and subsequently spread to civilian usage. Today, "dig in" is commonly used as a less formal alternative to "bon appétit" or "enjoy your meal!" in various scenarios, from picnics to team-building exercises.