Eat into Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈit/ /ˈɪntu/, /ɪnˈtu/, /ɪntə

EET-IN-too, IN-TOO, IN-tuh

UK

ˈiːt/ /ˈɪntʊ

EET-IN-tuh

Definition

To gradually use up or destroy something, especially money, time, or resources; or to damage something slowly.

Usage & Nuances

This phrasal verb is informal and often used for finances ('bills eat into savings'), time ('work eats into my weekend'), or physical damage (rust eats into metal). Avoid using with food literally. Can sound negative or concerning.

• Spanish: consumir - gastar - disminuir poco a poco
• Portuguese (BR): consumir - corroer - reduzir aos poucos
• Portuguese (PT): consumir - corroer - reduzir gradualmente
• Chinese (Simplified): 侵蚀 - 消耗
• Chinese (Traditional): 侵蝕 - 消耗
• Hindi: कम कर देना - धीरे-धीरे नष्ट करना
• Arabic: ينخر - يستنزف تدريجيا
• Bengali: খেয়ে ফেলা (সম্পদ বা সময়) - ক্ষয় করা
• Russian: постепенно сокращать - разъедать
• Japanese: 食いつぶす - 蝕む
• Vietnamese: làm hao mòn - ăn mòn
• Korean: 깎아먹다 - 잠식하다
• Turkish: aşındırmak - tüketmek (yavaşça)
• Urdu: کھا جانا (وسائل/وقت کا)
• Indonesian: menggerogoti - menguras

Example Sentences

Bills can quickly eat into your savings if you are not careful.

basic

Unexpected repairs can eat into our holiday budget.

basic

The rust started to eat into the car door.

basic

All these small expenses really eat into my monthly paycheck.

natural

Don’t let stress eat into your free time on the weekends.

natural

Inflation has started to eat into people’s ability to save for the future.

natural