dig up

/dˈɪɡ ˈʌp/

to dig up

MAIN VERB

[phrase form: dig]

remove, harvest, or recover by digging

synonyms : dig

find by digging in the ground

synonyms : excavate

*** to discover new facts about a person or situation after a lot of searching

Examples

1. She dug up some dirt on him and used it to ruin his chances of getting the job.

2. The freelance investigative reporter made a career of digging up dirt on celebrities for tabloids.

3. Once I contact my usual sources at the tabloids, I should be able to dig up the dirt on that actress.

4. It seems to me that the press and some others are indeed using the measure to dig up dirt on the government.