DUG OUT' The term 'dug out' is a phrase used to describe the process of creating a hollowed-out area in the ground. It is often used to refer to the construction of a shelter or a home, as well as for the excavation of a ditch or trench. The term can also be used to describe the act of removing material from an area, such as digging out a pond or lake. The crossword solution for this term is 'gouged, ' which means to cut or carve out a hole or cavity with a sharp instrument.