dig through

[/dɪɡ θruː/]
verb (phrasal)
cavar através de; remexer em; vasculhar
1. To search through something by moving things around or removing layers; to look for something by examining contents carefully
I had to dig through all the boxes in the attic to find my old photo albums.
Tive que vasculhar todas as caixas no sótão para encontrar meus antigos álbuns de fotos.
2. To excavate or penetrate through a material or substance using digging motions
The archaeologists dug through the soil to uncover ancient artifacts.
Os arqueólogos cavaram através do solo para descobrir artefatos antigos.
3. To search persistently through documents, data, or information to find something specific
She dug through the old files looking for evidence.
Ela vasculhou os arquivos antigos procurando por evidências.
This phrasal verb is commonly used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese to describe the act of searching through personal belongings, archives, or memories. In Brazil, 'vasculhar' is the most idiomatic translation and is frequently used in everyday conversation, particularly when referring to searching through drawers, bags, or documents. The phrase reflects a universal human behavior and appears frequently in detective stories, archaeology contexts, and personal narratives across both cultures.
NYC Slang
dig through it; tear into (when searching aggressively)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
search throughrummage throughsift throughgo throughexcavate
Antonyms / Antônimos
organizearrangetidy up

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
vasculhar; remexer em; cavar através de
Most common usage in everyday speech
Rio de Janeiro
vasculhar; mexer em
Colloquial preference for 'vasculhar'
São Paulo
remexer em; vasculhar
Both terms equally used in urban context
Portugal
cavar através de; vasculhar; remexucar
Portuguese speakers may use 'remexucar' in more informal contexts

Related Words

dig updig indig outexcavatesearchrummage

Related Idioms & Phrases

dig through the dirt
dig through one's pockets
dig through the past
dig through one's memory
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