eat away at
Third Person
eats away at
Present Participle
eating away at
Past Tense
ate away at
Past Participle
eaten away at
1
to slowly remove or destroy something over time
- Over time, the rust began to eat away at the metal bridge, causing structural concerns.
- Neglecting dental hygiene can allow plaque to eat away at tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
- The constant exposure to harsh weather conditions started to eat away at the exterior paint of the house.
- Procrastination can eat away at your time, making it challenging to meet deadlines.
- Unresolved conflicts within a relationship can eat away at trust and intimacy.
2
to gradually reduce the amount of something, typically through a slow and continuous process
- The rising inflation began to eat away at the purchasing power of the currency.
- Constant snacking can eat away at your appetite for healthier meals.
- Procrastination tends to eat away at the time available for completing important tasks.
- Continuous stress can eat away at one's overall well-being and mental health.
- Relentless budget cuts can eat away at the resources available for essential services.
Synonyms:
3
to make someone feel very worried over a long period of time, often through a persistent and troubling situation
- The uncertainty of the job market began to eat away at her confidence and peace of mind.
- The ongoing legal disputes started to eat away at the business owner's sense of security.
- Long-term financial instability can eat away at a person's mental well-being.
- The constant pressure to meet unrealistic expectations began to eat away at his job satisfaction.
- Persistent health concerns can eat away at a person's overall sense of tranquility.