Dig into those consumed by defeatists (3)

I believe the answer is:

eat

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'dig into those' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'consumed by defeatists' is the wordplay.
'consumed by' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'EAT' is hidden within 'defeatists'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eat that I've seen before include "Have 23d [MEAL]" , "Make food disappear" , "Munch" , "Consume (food)" , "Scoff" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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