gnaw at
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To cause persistent, gradual worry, anxiety, or distress; to trouble or torment someone's mind over time.
- To wear away or erode something gradually, often through persistent, nagging action.
Usage
The verb "gnaw at" is used to describe a slow, persistent action that causes damage or distress. It often implies a process that is difficult to ignore or stop. * It is commonly used with abstract concepts like feelings, thoughts, or confidence. * It can also be used with physical objects, though this is less common, to describe gradual erosion.
Examples
- Abstract (Emotions/Thoughts):
- The feeling of guilt gnawed at him for years after the accident.
- Doubt began to gnaw at her resolve as the project grew more difficult.
- The unanswered question continued to gnaw at my curiosity.
- Abstract (State/Quality):
- Her failure gnawed at her self-esteem. (This demonstrates the meaning from the reference context: "Her confidence eroded.")
- Physical (Less Common):
- The acid gnawed at the metal, leaving it pitted and weak.
- Rust was slowly gnawing at the old pipes.
Advanced Usage
- "gnaw away at": This is a common variant with the same meaning, emphasizing the continuous, piece-by-piece nature of the action.
- Fear and anxiety gnawed away at his peace of mind.
Variants and Related Words
- Gnaw (verb): The base form. It more literally means to bite or chew on something persistently (e.g., ). "Gnaw at" is a phrasal verb derived from this, extending the meaning to abstract concepts.
- Gnawing (adjective): Describing a persistent, worrying feeling.
- He felt a gnawing suspicion that something was wrong.
Synonyms
- Erode: To gradually wear away. (Closest synonym from the reference context.)
- Trouble: To cause distress or worry.
- Torment: To cause severe mental or physical suffering.
- Nag: To annoy or irritate persistently.
- Wear away: To gradually remove or diminish through friction or pressure.
- Prey on one's mind: To be a source of persistent worry.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Eat away at: Very similar in meaning to "gnaw at," meaning to gradually destroy or consume.
- Worry was eating away at her.
Related Idioms
- To have a gnawing feeling/suspicion/doubt: To experience a persistent and troubling emotion or thought.
- She had a gnawing feeling that she had forgotten something important.
Verb
- become ground down or deteriorate
- Her confidence eroded