Monday Muddle: dugout, dug out

Monday Muddle: dugout: (noun) a shelter that is dug out of the ground and is covered with a roof; a shelter at the side of a baseball field, usually lower than ground level with a roof and a bench for use by the players and staff when they are not on the field dug out: (verb phrase) (past tense of dig out) moving material, often dirt or snow, in order to find or release something

In Canada, and possibly other places where winters are harsh, you might hear someone say, “After we get dug out…” because after a big snowstorm it can be a major project to get through your doorway and shovel a path to your driveway and your car. If, however, you hear someone say, “After we get dugout…” they may be talking about building a baseball stadium. In that case, a definite article (the) or an indefinite article (a) should precede the noun “dugout”. If you are the one building the baseball stadium, you would be responsible for getting the dugout dug out.