chip away

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To remove small pieces from something gradually, often by chipping: The literal meaning refers to the act of breaking off small fragments from a hard material like stone, wood, or ice over time.
   • To reduce or weaken something gradually and persistently: The figurative meaning describes the slow, steady process of making something less effective, complete, or strong through a series of small actions or changes.

Examples of Usage

• Literal Meaning:

  • The sculptor chipped away at the marble block for months.
  • Ocean waves have chipped away at the base of the cliffs over centuries.

• Figurative Meaning:

  • The constant criticism began to chip away at her confidence.
  • High inflation is chipping away at people's savings.
  • These new regulations are chipping away at our personal freedoms.

Advanced Usage

• "Chip away at": This is the most common construction. The preposition "at" is used to indicate the target or object being gradually reduced.

  • We need to chip away at this large project one task at a time.
  • The lawyer's cross-examination chipped away at the witness's credibility.

• Concept of Persistent Effort: The phrase often implies sustained, patient effort toward a larger goal.

  • He didn't solve the problem overnight; he chipped away at it until he found a solution.

Variants and Related Words

• Chip (verb): To break a small piece off something.
  • Be careful not to chip the plate.
• Erode (verb): To gradually wear away. A close synonym for the figurative sense of "chip away."
  • Public trust has been eroded by the scandal.
• Whittle away/down (phrasal verb): To reduce something gradually. A very similar idiom.
  • They whittled away the lead until the game was tied.

Synonyms

• Erode
• Wear down
• Undermine (especially for figurative weakening)
• Diminish gradually

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Chip in: To contribute money or help.
  • Everyone chipped in to buy a gift.
• Chip off: To break a piece off from the main part.
  • A piece of paint chipped off the wall.

Related Idioms

• A chip off the old block: A person who is very similar to one of their parents.
  • He's a chip off the old block, just like his father.
• Have a chip on one's shoulder: To be habitually angry or resentful.
  • He's had a chip on his shoulder since he didn't get the promotion.

Học thuật

Verb

1. remove or withdraw gradually: "These new customs are chipping away at the quality of life"

Từ đồng nghĩa

• chip away at