Do the spadework to get established (3,2)
I believe the answer is:
dig in
'do' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I can't understand how they can define each other.
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dig in that I've seen before include "Enjoy the food" , "Start eating (informal)" , "Start to scoff" , "Begin eating heartily" , "protect himself" .)