Definition

Verb (transitive) 1. To gradually consume, erode, or use up a resource, often in a damaging or negative way: This meaning describes a slow, persistent process where something is worn away, diminished, or consumed, typically to the detriment of the original thing. 2. To cause feelings of resentment, anger, or worry that persistently bother someone: This figurative meaning describes how a negative thought or feeling can slowly and persistently trouble a person's mind.

Usage and Examples

• Literal/Figurative (Resource): The phrasal verb is followed by the object being consumed or eroded.

  • The rising cost of fuel is eating into our monthly budget.
  • Rust had eaten into the metal pipes, weakening them.
  • All these extra hours at work are eating into my free time.

• Figurative (Emotion): The phrasal verb is followed by the person affected or the emotion itself. This usage is less common.

  • The memory of his unfair criticism ate into her for weeks.
  • Doubt began to eat into his confidence.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The subject of "eat into" is typically the thing causing the erosion or distress (e.g., costs, rust, a memory).
• It implies a continuous, often insidious process, not a single, sudden event.
• The first meaning (consuming resources) is significantly more frequent in modern usage than the emotional meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Erode (verb): To gradually wear away. A close synonym for the first meaning.
  • Coastlines are eroded by the sea.
• Encroach on/upon (phrasal verb): To gradually intrude on or take over something, often rights or territory. Similar to the first meaning of "eat into."
  • The new regulations encroach upon personal freedoms.
• Rankle (verb): To cause persistent annoyance or resentment. A close synonym for the second meaning of "eat into."
  • His insult rankled for a long time.

Synonyms

• For meaning 1 (consume/erode): erode, consume, deplete, use up, corrode, wear away.
• For meaning 2 (cause resentment): rankle, fester, gnaw at, trouble, prey on.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Eat away at: Very similar to "eat into," emphasizing a gradual destructive process. It can be used for both physical erosion and emotional distress.
  • Acid eats away at the stone.
  • Guilt was eating away at him.
• Eat up: To use all of something, often quickly or eagerly. It lacks the connotation of gradual, damaging erosion.
  • The project ate up all our savings. (Implies consumption, not necessarily gradual damage)

Verb

1. gnaw into; make resentful or angry
   • The injustice rankled her
   • his resentment festered