eat away at

To gradually reduce money, time, strength, or another limited supply.

• These costs eat away at our profits.
• Years of poor sales ate away at the company’s reserves.
• Constant delays are eating away at the time we have left.

How to use it: eat away at something (High fees eat away at our savings.)

Similar words: reduce, deplete, drain, erode

Common phrases: eat away at savings, eat away at profits

To keep making someone feel worried, guilty, or upset over time.

• The guilt eats away at me.
• Doubts ate away at her throughout the journey.
• Has that mistake been eating away at you?

How to use it: eat away at someone (The secret ate away at him for years.)

Similar words: trouble, torment, gnaw at

Common phrases: eat away at someone, eat away at me

To slowly damage or remove parts of something through water, chemicals, or similar forces.

• Rust eats away at metal.
• The river ate away at the bank after heavy rain.
• Acid has eaten away at the stone surface.

How to use it: eat away at something (The waves eat away at the cliffs.)

Similar words: erode, wear away, corrode

Common phrases: eat away at metal, eat away at rock